Treatment: Coronary Angioplasty (PCI)

Coronary angioplasty (PCI) is a procedure used to widen a blocked or narrow coronary artery

Bookings: bookings.hearthealth@onewelbeck.com

Tel: 020 3653 2005

Why you might need?

Arteries can become narrow and harden which can cause coronary heart disease. The heart needs a constant supply of blood supply, so if it becomes restricted it can lead to chest pain known as angina, usually triggered by physical activity or stress.

If the narrowing suddenly worsens, with a clot forming, then the situation can become unstable, and a heart attack (Acute Myocardial Infarction) can occur.

A Coronary Angioplasty (PCI) may be required to restore the blood supply to the heart when medication is ineffective. It is also used as immediate treatment after a heart attack.

In stable angina, it is mainly a symptom treatment i.e. life is probably not made longer, but is of a better quality! In a heart attack, acute or “Primary”, angioplasty saves lives.


Treatment Info

Coronary angioplasty (PCI) is a procedure used to widen a blocked or narrow coronary artery, the main vessels that supply blood to the heart.

A catheter is taken from the wrist or groin up to the heart. A wire is steered across the blockage in the coronary artery. A balloon is used to stretch open the narrowed or blocked artery. Usually, a short wire-mesh (stent) is placed into the artery during the procedure. The stent is permanently left in place to allow blood to continuously move more freely.


What happens during a Coronary Angioplasty?

You will be given a local anaesthetic before your procedure, meaning you’ll be awake for the duration.
A catheter will be inserted into your groin, wrist or arm and fed up through one of your arteries to your heart. The position of the catheter will be constantly monitored by X-Ray.


When the catheter is in place, a thin wire will be fed through the catheter and into the affected section of the artery carrying a small balloon. The balloon is inflated to widen the artery, squashing fatty deposits against the artery wall so blood can flow through freely again. Usually a stent is left as a scaffold to keep the artery open. The stent is covered in medication to help reduce re-narrowing (Drug Eluting Stent or DES) before the balloon, wire and catheter are removed.


This procedure usually takes between 30 minutes to 2 hours to complete.


If done from the wrist, you may go home the same day. You will need Aspirin and another agent (Clopidogrel or Ticagrelor) for one year after your procedure.

Treatment Risks

As with all types of surgery, complications can arise including during or after an angioplasty. The overall risk is usually less than 1%.

Common complications include:

  • Bleeding
  • Bruising

More serious but less common complications include:

  • Damage to the artery-requiring more stents, or emergency surgery
  • Excessive bleeding
  • Heart attack or stroke

Treatment Recovery

OneWelbeck patients will be offered the use of the MyRecovery smartphone app. This doctor-designed app acts as a mobile patient companion to guide you through the steps to prepare for the coronary angioplasty and prevent delays to your care.

The app will use two methods to provide you with a seamless coronary angioplasty experience by offering you the right information at the right time through:

  • Video messages from your consultant and clinical team
  • Pre-procedure checklists that are visible to you and your clinical team

Treatment Programme
Coronary Angioplasty (PCI)

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Health Insurance

This service or treatment is generally covered by most health insurance policies. You are responsible for checking your insurance policy cover, and you may need a referral letter. Check which insurance companies are covered.

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Self-Pay Available

This treatment is available for self-paying users. If you would like to see more information on pricing visit our pricing and payments page.

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Consultation Required

For this treatment you will need to have a 1-to-1 consultation at OneWelbeck first. To book in with our team of expert clinicians or to find out more about the process contact the relevant centre team.

Coronary Angioplasty (PCI) Specialists

The consultants at OneWelbeck Heart Health have been assembled based on their hard-earned international reputations and expertise. Together, they cover the major London teaching hospitals and leading cardiac services, making up the largest independent cardiology group in the UK.