Balloon angioplasty with stenting

Arteries are essential to the overall function of our bodies. They carry blood rich in oxygen and nutrients from the top of our heads to the tips of our toes.

When arteries are healthy, blood flows easily to our organs and tissues. However, when arteries become clogged with cholesterol-laden deposits called plaque, a person’s chances of a heart attack, stroke or even death increase drastically.

While diet and exercise can help manage arterial plaque, in some instances, intervention may be necessary. That is where Dr. Alejandro Caballero-Lopez with Cardiovascular Associates of Lake County comes in. He has been performing balloon angioplasty and stent placement for 17 years. During this procedure, the main goal is to open up fully or partially blocked arteries.

“When plaque blockage reaches over 70 percent, balloon angioplasty with stenting becomes the best treatment option,” explains Dr. Caballero-Lopez. “The angioplasty uses a balloon, which is attached to the tip of a catheter, to widen blocked arteries. As the balloon inflates, pressing against the inside wall of the artery to open the space, a metal stent is permanently placed inside the artery to keep it from narrowing again.”

While balloon angioplasty is commonly used to treat narrowed coronary arteries caused by coronary artery disease, Dr. Caballero-Lopez explains the procedure also works to clear blocked peripheral and carotid arteries.

Arterial plaque buildup in the carotid arteries can lead to stroke while plaque accumulation in peripheral arteries can cause pain, numbness or serious infection in the legs and feet. Nevertheless, after performing balloon angioplasty with stenting in affected arteries, Dr. Caballero-Lopez reports most of his patients feel immediate relief.

“Some feel great after having the procedure,” he says, “and because it is less invasive than open heart surgery or a bypass, recovery time is a minimum of one day.”

In battling serious conditions such as coronary, carotid or peripheral artery disease, the best line of defense is seeking a physician’s help when experiencing symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath and heart palpitations. While the procedure is elective in most cases, sometimes it becomes a matter of life and death.

“We’re on call 24/7 for acute cases,” says Dr. Caballero-Lopez. “Many whom I’ve treated would have died if we didn’t have such a high level of dedication to those who need us not only in the office but also in emergency situations. We’ve basically saved lives, and to me, that is extremely rewarding.”