Blocked Artery

• 1). Scrub up. It is important that your cardiologist and his team do this to prevent infection. Prep the patient for surgery.
  
  
• 2). Sterilize the area with an antiseptic solution and place a sterile drape over the patient's lower body. Place electrode pads on the patient's heart to monitor heart rhythm and rate.
  
  
• 3). Give the patient a local anesthetic around the groin area or arm. (The use of either a general anesthetic or IV medication for relaxation will depend on where the stent is being placed.) More commonly, it is done through a vein in the groin. A tiny incision is made near the area where the guide wire (followed by a balloon catheter with a collapsed stent) is inserted where the blockage is. With most patients, angioplasty is done prior to the stent insertion.
  
  
• 4). Inflate the balloon on the end of the catheter. This causes the stent to spring open and lock in place. Repeat this in other areas if necessary.
  
  
• 5). Remove the balloon catheter. Take more angiograms to ensure that blood is flowing correctly. Remove the guide catheter.