What is it ?
This is a small monitoring device, which continuously records the ECG for 24 hours while patient continues his daily routine activities without remaining confined to bed.
Why is it done?
A Holter records the ECG continuously, and patient's symptoms can be correlated with his ECG. This is required for patients in whom a heart rhythm disorder 'palpitation' is suspected or experienced by the patient. This provides a comprehensive correlation of patient's symptoms with his/her heart rhythm.
How is it done?
The patient has to wear this monitor for 24 hours. Small skin patches are placed on the patient's body though which monitoring is done. The patient is encouraged to carry out his usual activities during the 24 hours period of monitoring.
Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty
How is it done ?
Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) involves passing a tiny, deflated balloon through the arterial system usually through an artery in the leg(Transfemoral) to the narrowed coronary artery. The balloon is then inflated, causing the walls of the balloon to dilate (expand) the narrowed artery, thereby restoring blood flow to the heart muscle. A stent (an expandable tube usually made of wire mesh) is often placed to prevent the narrowing from recurring.
The usefulness of angioplasty depends upon the pattern and extent of arterial narrowing. Angioplasty is often recommended over bypass surgery when arterial narrowing is mild or moderate and when only one or two coronary arteries are narrowed.
Why ?
Angioplasty or PTCA as it is popularly known, is aimed at removing the blockages of the coronary arteries to restore the blood flow. Stenting is now used in about 60% of angioplasty procedures.
Short-Term Complications:
Reclosure During or Shortly after Angioplasty. Reclosure of the artery during or shortly after angioplasty is often but not always due to blood clots. Aspirin, heparin, or combinations of anti-clotting drugs are generally used during and after the operation. New anti-clotting agents (tirofiban, abciximab, argatroban, clopidogrel, or bivalirudin) may be more effective for preventing reclosure, often when administered in combination with heparin or aspirin. Anti-clotting drugs are not wholly protective, in any case, because reclosure in some cases is due to other, unknown causes.
Long-Term Complications:
Reclosure (Restenosis) Within a Year of Angioplasty. Narrowing or reclosing of the artery (restenosis) occurs within a year of angioplasty in nearly 15 - 20% of angioplasty patients, often requiring a repeat operation. Reclosure, in this case is not due to blood clots and so anti-clotting agents are not useful.
This is a small monitoring device, which continuously records the ECG for 24 hours while patient continues his daily routine activities without remaining confined to bed.
Why is it done?
A Holter records the ECG continuously, and patient's symptoms can be correlated with his ECG. This is required for patients in whom a heart rhythm disorder 'palpitation' is suspected or experienced by the patient. This provides a comprehensive correlation of patient's symptoms with his/her heart rhythm.
How is it done?
The patient has to wear this monitor for 24 hours. Small skin patches are placed on the patient's body though which monitoring is done. The patient is encouraged to carry out his usual activities during the 24 hours period of monitoring.
Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty
How is it done ?
Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) involves passing a tiny, deflated balloon through the arterial system usually through an artery in the leg(Transfemoral) to the narrowed coronary artery. The balloon is then inflated, causing the walls of the balloon to dilate (expand) the narrowed artery, thereby restoring blood flow to the heart muscle. A stent (an expandable tube usually made of wire mesh) is often placed to prevent the narrowing from recurring.
The usefulness of angioplasty depends upon the pattern and extent of arterial narrowing. Angioplasty is often recommended over bypass surgery when arterial narrowing is mild or moderate and when only one or two coronary arteries are narrowed.
Why ?
Angioplasty or PTCA as it is popularly known, is aimed at removing the blockages of the coronary arteries to restore the blood flow. Stenting is now used in about 60% of angioplasty procedures.
Short-Term Complications:
Reclosure During or Shortly after Angioplasty. Reclosure of the artery during or shortly after angioplasty is often but not always due to blood clots. Aspirin, heparin, or combinations of anti-clotting drugs are generally used during and after the operation. New anti-clotting agents (tirofiban, abciximab, argatroban, clopidogrel, or bivalirudin) may be more effective for preventing reclosure, often when administered in combination with heparin or aspirin. Anti-clotting drugs are not wholly protective, in any case, because reclosure in some cases is due to other, unknown causes.
Long-Term Complications:
Reclosure (Restenosis) Within a Year of Angioplasty. Narrowing or reclosing of the artery (restenosis) occurs within a year of angioplasty in nearly 15 - 20% of angioplasty patients, often requiring a repeat operation. Reclosure, in this case is not due to blood clots and so anti-clotting agents are not useful.