At Healing Hospital, we understand that blocked coronary arteries, heart attacks, chest pain, and breathlessness create life-threatening emergencies and anxiety about heart procedures—requiring immediate expert intervention with advanced technology in a safe, experienced environment. That is why our advanced Cardiology Department, led by Dr. Ratinder Pal Singh (Dr. R.P. Singh)—one of North India’s most experienced interventional cardiologists with 15+ years expertise and 10,000+ successful interventional procedures—offers state-of-the-art coronary angioplasty using latest drug-eluting stents, intravascular imaging guidance, and 24/7 emergency catheterization lab availability, ensuring rapid life-saving treatment, optimal outcomes, and restored heart health.

We serve patients across Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, and other states of India with comprehensive angioplasty services including emergency primary angioplasty for heart attacks (door-to-balloon time under 90 minutes), elective angioplasty for stable coronary artery disease, complex angioplasty including chronic total occlusions (CTOs), bifurcation lesions, left main interventions, and complete post-procedure cardiac rehabilitation.

If you are searching for “best angioplasty hospital in Chandigarh,” “emergency heart attack treatment,” “interventional cardiologist near me,” or “stent specialist,” you have found a centre where life-saving expertise meets cutting-edge technology and 24/7 availability.

What is an Angioplasty?

Angioplasty (PCI) is a minimally invasive cardiac procedure that opens blocked or narrowed coronary arteries restoring blood flow to heart muscle. Performed through a small puncture in the wrist (radial approach) or groin (femoral approach), a thin catheter is advanced through blood vessels to the blocked coronary artery under X-ray guidance. Once positioned, a tiny balloon is inflated at the blockage site compressing the plaque against artery walls, then a drug-eluting stent (expandable metal mesh tube) is permanently implanted keeping the artery open. This restores blood flow immediately, relieving chest pain, preventing heart muscle damage, and dramatically improving survival when performed emergently during heart attacks.

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What are the Types of Angioplasty Procedures?

Primary PCI for Acute Heart Attack (STEMI)

Life-saving emergency procedure, which is performed immediately (ideally within 90 minutes of arrival—door-to-balloon time) when complete coronary artery blockage causes heart attack with ST-segment elevation on ECG. Rapid restoration of blood flow minimizes heart muscle damage, prevents complications, and dramatically improves survival. 

Elective Angioplasty for Coronary Artery Disease

Scheduled angioplasty for patients with significant coronary blockages causing angina (chest pain) during exertion despite medical treatment, performed after thorough evaluation including stress tests and diagnostic angiography.

Chronic Total Occlusion (CTO) Angioplasty

Advanced technique opening completely blocked arteries (100% occlusion) present for months/years, technically challenging requiring specialized equipment, expertise, and persistence.

Angioplasty for Bifurcation Lesions

Blockages at coronary artery branch points, requiring precise two-stent techniques or provisional stenting strategies.

High-Risk Angioplasty for Left Main Coronary Artery Intervention

High-risk angioplasty treating blockages in the left main coronary artery (supplies 75% of heart), requires meticulous technique, intravascular imaging guidance, and experienced operator—alternative to high-risk bypass surgery in selected patients.

Multi-Vessel Angioplasty

Treatment of blockages in multiple coronary arteries during single procedure or staged interventions, comprehensive revascularization restoring blood flow to the entire heart.

Who is Recommended an Angioplasty?

Angioplasty is recommended in the following conditions:

  • Acute Heart Attack (STEMI)
  • Unstable Angina/NSTEMI 
  • Cardiogenic Shock
  • Severe Coronary Blockages
  • Positive Stress Test with Symptoms
  • Failed Medical Management
  • Post-Heart Attack Risk Stratification
  • Chronic Total Occlusion with Viable Muscle

What Happens Before, During, and After Angioplasty?

Before Procedure

In Case of Emergency Angioplasty (Heart Attack)

Immediate assessment in the emergency department with ECG, cardiac biomarkers (Troponin-I), rapid evaluation by interventional cardiologist, informed consent explaining procedure urgency and risks, IV access and medications (antiplatelet agents, such as aspirin, clopidogrel/ticagrelor, anticoagulants), & direct transfer to catheterization lab. 

Elective Angioplasty (Planned)

Pre-procedure consultation reviewing diagnostic angiography results, discussion of blockage severity and treatment options (angioplasty vs. bypass surgery vs. medical management), complete medical history and medication review, blood tests including kidney function, bleeding parameters, fasting 6-8 hours before procedure, continue most medications especially beta-blockers and blood pressure medications, hold blood thinners as instructed, pre-procedure medications including antiplatelet agents, & informed consent explaining procedure, benefits, risks, alternatives.

During Procedure

Catheterization Lab Arrival

Patient positioned on procedure table beneath large X-ray imaging equipment, continuous monitoring with ECG, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, sterile draping of access site (wrist or groin), & administration of local anaesthesia numbing puncture site.

Diagnostic Coronary Angiography

Thin catheter advanced through the arterial system to heart under fluoroscopy (real-time X-ray) guidance, positioned at coronary artery openings, contrast dye injected creating detailed X-ray images (angiogram) showing exact blockage location, severity, complexity.

Balloon Angioplasty & Stent Deployment

Guidewire carefully threaded through blockage, balloon catheter advanced over guidewire to stenosis site, balloon inflated compressing plaque against artery walls. 

A drug-eluting stent mounted on a balloon positioned precisely at the treated site, balloon inflation expands the stent permanently scaffolding artery open, balloon deflated and removed leaving the stent embedded in the artery wall.

After Procedure

Recovery

Continuous cardiac monitoring, vital signs assessment, access site checks for bleeding or haematoma, IV fluids ensuring hydration, medications including dual antiplatelet therapy, beta-blockers, statins, & ACE inhibitors as appropriate.

Hospital Stay

In case of emergency Angioplasty, hospital stay is recommended for 3-5 days with cardiac ICU monitoring for 24-48 hours, echocardiography assessing heart function, medication optimization, & cardiac rehabilitation referral. Whereas, in case of elective Angioplasty, the patient could be discharged the same day under medical supervision.

What are the Recovery & Success Factors?

Life-Saving Emergency Response

Patients arriving with massive heart attacks leave hospital days later with preserved heart function and excellent prognosis—life-saving intervention that transforms emergencies into survival stories. 

Superior Long-Term Outcomes 

Modern drug-eluting stents release anti-proliferative medications preventing re-narrowing (restenosis), achieving <5% re-blockage rates per year.

Rapid Recovery with Minimally Invasive Radial Approach

Modern radial (wrist) approach—Healing Hospital’s preferred technique—enables immediate sitting, walking within hours, same-day discharge in selected cases, significantly lower bleeding risk, and dramatically improved patient comfort.

Why Choose Healing Hospital in Chandigarh for Angioplasty?

24/7 Emergency Catheterization Lab with Fastest Door-to-Balloon Timeline : Our fully equipped catheterization lab operates 24 hours daily, 365 days yearly with a dedicated interventional team available within minutes of an emergency call. We achieve door-to-balloon times under 90 minutes meeting international standards.

Latest Generation Drug-Eluting Stents : We exclusively use latest-generation drug-eluting stents from world’s leading manufacturers (Abbott, Boston Scientific, Medtronic) providing optimal anti-restenotic efficacy, biocompatibility, and deliverability.

Advanced Technology & Imaging Guidance : Routine intravascular imaging guidance (IVUS, OCT) ensures precise stent sizing, optimal expansion, complete lesion coverage, and wall apposition. Radial approach as default access provides superior patient comfort and safety.

What are the Advantages of Angioplasty?

  • Immediate restoration of blood flow during heart attacks preventing death
  • Minimally invasive 
  • Rapid recovery 
  • Immediate symptom relief 
  • Prevents heart damage 
  • More effective than medical therapy 
  • Avoids open-heart surgery 
  • Short hospital stay 
  • Low complication rates
  • Treats multiple blockages 
  • Improves heart function 
  • Durable results of the drug-eluting stents 
  • Quality of life improvement 

What are the Risks & Complications Involved in Angioplasty?

Bleeding or Haematoma (2-5%)

Access site bleeding or bruising, more common with femoral approach than radial, most cases minor requiring pressure only, significant bleeding requiring transfusion rare (<1%), minimized by experienced operator and radial approach preference.

Contrast-Induced Nephropathy (5-10% in high-risk patients)

Temporary kidney function worsening from contrast dye, higher risk with pre-existing kidney disease, diabetes, dehydration, minimized by adequate hydration, minimal contrast use, kidney protective measures in high-risk patients, usually resolves spontaneously.

Side Branch Occlusion (1-3%)

Small branch artery closure during main vessel stenting, most clinically insignificant, occasionally requires additional stent in branch, bifurcation lesion techniques minimize risk.

In-Stent Restenosis (5-10% with drug-eluting stents)

Re-narrowing within stent from scar tissue growth, modern drug-eluting stents dramatically reduced this compared to old bare-metal stents (30% restenosis), presents as recurrent angina months to years after procedure, treated with repeat angioplasty, drug-coated balloon, or additional stent.

Access Site Complications

Pseudoaneurysm (1-2%), arteriovenous fistula (<1%), arterial occlusion (rare), more common with femoral than radial approach, most managed non-surgically with ultrasound-guided compression or thrombin injection.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long does angioplasty take?

Emergency angioplasty during heart attack: 60-90 minutes typically for single-vessel disease. Elective angioplasty: 90-120 minutes depending on number of blockages, complexity (CTOs, bifurcations, calcified lesions require more time). Multi-vessel disease may require >= 120 minutes.

Is angioplasty painful?

No. Local anaesthesia numbs the puncture site eliminating pain. Patients feel pressure during catheter manipulation and brief chest tightness during balloon inflation (few seconds)—not painful, just an unusual sensation. Post-procedure discomfort minimal—access site soreness for 1-2 days only.

Can blockages come back after angioplasty?

In-stent restenosis (re-blockage within stent): 5-10% with modern drug-eluting stents is possible. New blockages in other arteries: Possible as coronary artery disease is progressive condition—emphasizes importance of risk factor control (cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, smoking cessation), medications (aspirin, statin), lifestyle modifications (diet, exercise), and regular follow-up.

Is angioplasty better than bypass surgery?

Angioplasty preferred for: Single or two-vessel disease, isolated left main disease (selected cases), patient preference for less invasive option, high surgical risk patients. Bypass surgery preferred for: Severe three-vessel disease, complex left main disease with extensive downstream disease, for diabetics with multi-vessel disease, & reduced heart function with multi-vessel disease.

What lifestyle changes are needed after angioplasty?

Smoking cessation, Heart-healthy diet, Heart-healthy diet, Weight management, Stress management, & Medication adherence is advised.

What is door-to-balloon time and why does it matter?

Door-to-balloon time is the interval from hospital arrival to balloon inflation opening blocked arteries during heart attack. International guidelines recommend <90 minutes—every 30-minute delay increases mortality by 7.5%. Healing Hospital consistently achieves door-to-balloon times <90 minutes through 24/7 catheterization lab readiness, dedicated interventional team, & streamlined emergency protocols.

What are Drug-Eluting Stents?

Expandable metal mesh tubes coated with anti-proliferative medications (e.g., everolimus, zotarolimus, sirolimus) released slowly over weeks to months preventing scar tissue overgrowth that causes re-blockage. Modern stents use biocompatible polymers or polymer-free designs minimizing inflammation and thrombosis risk while maximizing efficacy.

How do I schedule an angioplasty consultation?

Contact our cardiology-dedicated medical counsellor at +91-8975343434 (9 AM-5 PM, Monday-Saturday) to schedule consultation with Dr. R.P. Singh. Bring all cardiac reports (previous angiograms, stress tests, echocardiograms, ECGs), current medications list, and questions.
Emergency cases presenting with chest pain or heart attack symptoms should proceed directly to the Emergency Department for immediate evaluation and treatment.