Peripheral/Cardiac/Carotid & Stent Placement
(Angiography & Angioplasty)
 Basic Facts:
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Angiography involves insertion of a catheter into an artery in the leg or arm, which is
then advanced to the arteries in the heart, leg, arm, or arteries of the neck.
Dye is injected through the catheter that allows creating x ray images of heart’s blood
vessel to look for any significant blockages. This can also look at arteries of the neck,
arms or legs.
The angioplasty (stent placement) is designed to re-open the inside of a blocked artery
and improve blood flow to affected area.
During angioplasty has widened the artery, a tiny mesh-metal tube called a stent can be
placed inside the artery to prevent the artery from collapsing or being closed off by
plaque again.
Both procedures, Angiography & Angioplasty may occur during the same procedure.
 Scheduling:
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This is a hospital procedure. In case of Stent placement, you will stay overnight;
otherwise, you will be discharged the same day. Please make sure arrangements for
overnight stay and for your ride back home.
Our nurse Jabeen will schedule your procedure. The schedule time varies depending
upon medical necessity and available slots for the procedure; she will get in touch with
you over the phone as soon as it is ready to be scheduled.
Dr. Khan performs the procedure at Medical Center of Plano, Baylor Medical Center of
McKinney, Baylor Heart Hospital of Plano, Medical Center of McKinney and Centennial
Medical Center, Frisco. We will try our best to schedule the procedure as per your
convenience & preference.
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All elective procedures are performed Mondays and Thursdays in the morning, until and
unless there is urgency.
 PREOPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS:
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Please do not have anything to eat or drink after midnight the night before your
procedure.
Please bring all medications with you to the hospital.
You can take your regular medications with the sip of water on test date morning with
following restrictions:
 If you are taking Coumadin, please stop 5 days before procedure.
 If you are taking Metformin, please stop taking it 24 hours before procedure
and resume back 48 hours after the procedure.
 If you are on Insulin Injections, please reduce your dose to one half of the
normal.
 If you are scheduled for carotid Angiogram, start Aspirin and Plavix 5 days prior
at least and take morning of procedure.
 DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:
In case of stent placement, you will be started on following medication, In addition to your
regular meds.
 Aspirin 81-325 mg daily.
 Plavix 75mg daily for 12 months after your procedure.
 Do not discontinue any of these medications without first checking with your doctor.
 ACTIVITY RESTRICTIONS:
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Do not operate a motor vehicle for two days following the procedure.
You may resume your normal activities 3 to 4 days after your procedure with two
restrictions in place for two weeks following your procedure:
1. No lifting, push, or pulling more than 10 pounds for 10 days
 FUTURE SURGERY RESTRICTIONS:
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Avoid major elective surgery for 3-6 months, until & unless it’s a medical necessity
You may need to be off of Aspirin and Plavix before any major surgery. Always check
with your cardiologist before getting off of these medications.
 WHAT TO EXPECT:
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Bruising, tenderness, and a pea-size lump are normal. Minor oozing is common but
abdominal pain, heavy bleeding, pain going down your leg is not normal. Please contact
us if you are experiencing any of these problems.
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MILD CHEST DISCOMFORT & POKING SENSATION in the chest is common. You may
take Ibuprofen 800 mg up to twice per day to alleviate these symptoms. Severe chest
pain or sustained fast rate need to be evaluated, please call the office.
BRUSING / BLEEDING: These symptoms are more common because of Plavix and
Aspirin use. Do not stop taking these medications unless directed by our office. Women
who have menses may experience some heavy bleeding in the first month of their
menstrual cycle after starting these medications.
 FOLLOW UP SCHEDULE:
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Follow up in 2 weeks with us, where we will perform an EKG and Physical examination
of insertion site to ensure normal healing. Findings of the procedure would be
discussed in detail along with plan for future management. You will be recommended
cardiac rehabilitation, if necessary.
SIX MONTHS: Stress test, carotid ultrasound or CTA of lower extremities may be
recommended in most of the cases, to ensure no recurrent blockages.
Low risk patients, with no more cardiac symptoms, can be taken off of Plavix in one
year and will continue Aspirin.
 PLEASE NOTE:
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The above mentioned outlines are the part of standard protocol for a cardiac patient
getting Angioplasty; you may find some variations according to your heart condition
and risk factors.