Restenosis

Restenosis refers to the re-narrowing of the coronary artery after an Angioplasty procedure. It literally means reoccurrence of the stenosis (narrowing of the blood vessel). Restenosis occurs within 3-6 moths in 40-50% of people who have undergone an Angioplasty.

During the procedure of angioplasty a balloon is inserted into the blocked artery and inflated so as to allow the blood to flow normally to all portions of the heart. During this procedure the surrounding tissues undergo trauma and become susceptible for damage. Restenosis may set in during thrombosis or due to fresh tissue growth at the site of the surgery. Restenosis does not indicate progression of the heart disease but may be an indication that the body's immune system is responding to the injury caused during angioplasty.

Modern medicine has seen the use of stents to keep the artery open. Usage of stents has brought down restenosis considerably. Usage of drug-eluting stent allows slow seepage of medication that reduces proliferation of cells thus reducing re-clogging.

Restenosis causes and treatment

Restenosis is mainly caused due to a surgery that unblocks or widens a blood vessel. Treatment depends on the clinical condition:

• If the original surgery had no stent, then a repeat surgery is performed and a stent is fixed.
  
• In case restenosis occurs even after stent has been placed during the first surgery then a repeat angioplasty is done.
  
• Many a times a second stent may also be placed.
  
• Bypass surgery wherein the affected portion of the artery is replaced with another artery from the patient's thigh.
  
• Brachytherapy; wherein radiation is used to remove the scar tissues from inside the artery.

Arthrectomy

Arthrectomy is a procedure administered to remove plaque from blood with the help of a modified catheter. This particular catheter consists of a sharp end which enables it to scrape the plaque of the blood vessel. The design of the catheter facilitates the collection of removed plaque into a small pit-like aperture.

Arthrectomy is suggested in conditions where the administration of a stent is not advisable to clear the blood vessel. This procedure is done under local anesthesia and prior to the procedure physicians advise the patients to discontinue certain type of medications as they may interfere with the procedure. Arthrectomy is usually a short procedure, however the duration of the procedure sometimes may depend upon the amount of atherosclerosis a person has in the blood vessel. The post procedural recovery time is usually a few hours and patients are usually advised to stay in the hospital for two to three days to avoid any kind of complications. The adverse effects pertaining to Arthrectomy are similar to that of any surgical procedure, such as perforations, embolism or even Restenosis if the patient's lifestyle is not healthy.