Angioplasty in Mumbai | SL Raheja Hospital

What is angioplasty and is it available at SL Raheja Hospital?

Angioplasty is a minimally invasive cardiology procedure that opens narrowed or blocked arteries to restore healthy blood flow. It is most commonly used to treat atherosclerosis — a build-up of plaque in the arteries — and can be a life-saving intervention during or after a heart attack. SL Raheja Hospital in Mahim, Mumbai offers angioplasty as part of its cardiology programme, providing patients with safe, clinically guided heart care.

Who needs angioplasty?

Your cardiologist at SL Raheja Hospital, Mahim may recommend angioplasty if you have one or more of the following conditions:

• Coronary artery disease (CAD): Blocked coronary arteries that restrict blood supply to the heart, causing chest pain or increasing heart attack risk.
• Heart attack: Angioplasty may be performed as an emergency procedure to limit heart muscle damage during or immediately after a heart attack.
• Carotid artery disease: Narrowing of the arteries in the neck that can lead to stroke if left untreated.
• Peripheral artery disease (PAD): Plaque build-up in the arteries of the arms, legs, or pelvis, which can cause pain, ulcers, or poor circulation.
• Chronic kidney disease related to renal artery narrowing: Reduced blood flow to the kidneys due to arterial blockage.
• Symptoms of arterial blockage: Chest pain (angina), breathlessness on exertion, leg pain when walking, or unexplained fatigue.

How is angioplasty performed at SL Raheja Hospital?

The cardiology team at SL Raheja Hospital in Mahim, Mumbai follows a structured, evidence-based approach to angioplasty. Below is a step-by-step overview of what to expect:

1. Pre-procedure preparation: You will be asked to fast for approximately eight hours before the procedure. Your care team will review your medications — particularly any anticoagulants — and ask about allergies to contrast dye or anaesthesia. Inform your team if you are pregnant.
2. Gowning and monitoring: You will change into a medical gown and lie on your back. Monitors will track your pulse, blood pressure, and oxygen levels throughout.
3. Sedation and local anaesthesia: A sedative is administered through an IV to help you relax. You remain awake but calm. Local anaesthesia is applied to the access site — typically the groin or arm — to numb the area.
4. Arterial access: A needle is used to access a blood vessel, and a sheath (thin tube) is inserted into a large artery. Wires and catheters are guided through this tube toward the target artery.
5. Fluoroscopic imaging: An X-ray machine rotates around you (fluoroscopy) to allow real-time visualisation of catheter movement. Contrast dye is injected to highlight the artery and identify the blockage.
6. Balloon inflation: A balloon-tipped catheter is advanced across the blockage. The balloon is briefly inflated to push plaque against the artery wall, widening the passage for blood flow. This may be repeated more than once.
7. Stent placement (if required): In most cases, a permanent stent — a small mesh tube — is placed in the artery to keep it open after the balloon is removed.
8. Post-procedure care: The catheter is removed and the access site is bandaged. Pressure is applied to prevent bleeding. If the groin was used, you may need to lie flat for a few hours. You will be monitored in hospital for several hours or overnight before discharge.

A typical angioplasty procedure takes 30 minutes to two hours, though total hospital time will be longer due to preparation and recovery monitoring.

What types of angioplasty are available?

Angioplasty is not a single technique — the approach depends on which arteries are affected and the nature of the blockage. The following types are recognised in clinical practice:

Your cardiologist will determine the most appropriate technique based on imaging findings, the location of the blockage, and your overall health status. To discuss which approach is suitable for you, use the booking form on this page.

What is the recovery process after angioplasty?

Recovery after angioplasty at SL Raheja Hospital, Mahim is typically faster than after open heart surgery. The following milestones outline what most patients can expect:

1. Immediately after the procedure: You will be monitored in a recovery area for several hours. If the catheter was inserted through the groin, you will need to lie flat for a period to prevent bleeding at the access site.
2. Same day or overnight stay: Depending on your condition and the complexity of the procedure, you may be discharged the same day or kept overnight for observation.
3. First few days at home: Rest is advised. Drink adequate fluids and avoid strenuous activity. The access site may feel sore or bruised for a week or more — this is normal.
4. Medications: Your cardiologist will likely prescribe aspirin or other blood thinners. It is essential to take these exactly as directed and not to stop them without consulting your doctor first.
5. Return to driving and work: Most patients can resume driving and light work approximately one week after the procedure, though this varies by individual and procedure type.
6. Follow-up appointment: A scheduled follow-up visit will be arranged after discharge to assess healing and monitor heart function.

Contact your healthcare provider promptly if you notice bleeding, infection, changes in skin colour, warmth, or pain at the catheter site after returning home.

What are the risks and considerations of angioplasty?

Angioplasty is generally a safe procedure, and serious complications are uncommon. However, as with any medical intervention, there are risks that your cardiologist at SL Raheja Hospital in Mahim, Mumbai will discuss with you before proceeding.

• Re-blockage of the artery — more likely if a stent is not placed
• Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia)
• Allergic reaction to contrast dye or anaesthetic agents
• Blood vessel damage at the access site or target artery
• Kidney damage from contrast dye, particularly in patients with pre-existing kidney disease
• Blood clots forming in or around the stent
• Low blood pressure during or after the procedure
• Heart attack — rare, but possible during the procedure
• Stroke — rare complication
• Bleeding or infection at the catheter insertion site

Patients who are over 65 years of age, have kidney disease, or have multiple blocked arteries may face a higher risk of complications. Your care team will assess your individual risk profile before recommending the procedure.

Who performs angioplasty at SL Raheja Hospital?

Angioplasty at SL Raheja Hospital in Mahim, Mumbai is performed by qualified cardiologists with specialist training in interventional cardiology procedures, including percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and peripheral artery angioplasty.

For information about the specific cardiologists currently available, their credentials, and appointment availability, please use the booking form on this page or write to us at info@rahejahospital.com.