The installation of a heart ring is a medical procedure that aims to treat problems with the coronary arteries. Coronary blood vessels play an important role as a carrier of blood and oxygen to the heart. Coronary blood vessels can become narrowed to blockage due to plaque build-up that comes from cholesterol and other substances. Blockages in coronary blood vessels will interfere the supply of oxygen needed by heart cells, causing heart cells to become damaged and unable to function normally, which can lead to fatal consequences.
Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is listed as the number one deadliest disease in the world according to the World Health Organization (WHO). A result of Basic Health Research from the Ministry of Health in 2018 stated that as many as 1.5% of Indonesia’s population has coronary heart disease. The installation of a heart ring (stent) aims to improve the patients with coronary heart disease to have better health condition and improved life quality.
Primaya Hospital’s Cardiac and Vascular Center provides a heart ring installation service which is supported by the latest facilities and a team of experienced cardiac specialists so that the detection and management of coronary heart disease can be done quickly and precisely.
The Function of Heart Ring Installation
Heart rings are made of stainless steel or cobalt chromium alloy in the form of small tubing as wire mesh or mesh. The heart ring can also be made of plastic material. The cardiologist will place the ring permanently in the problematic coronary artery. Generally, there is a layer of drug on the heart ring which functions to prevent scar tissue from forming in blood vessels.
The heart ring installation serves to improve blood flow and oxygen by enlarging the cavity of the blood vessels that are narrowed or clogged. Coronary heart disease is characterized by narrowing to blockage of blood vessels which causes patients to experience chest pain. Heart stamping is not performed in all patients with coronary heart disease. The doctor will first carry out a detailed examination of the problematic blood vessels to determine whether the patient’s condition requires management of a heart stent or not. The heart ring installation can be a treatment option for:
- Patients who are still experiencing heart problems after trying various medications and changing their lifestyle to be healthier.
- Patients with worsening of chest pain (angina).
- Patients who have had a severe heart attack resulting in impaired heart function.
Heart Ring Installation Procedure
Heart ring installation procedure is carried out in the Cath Lab unit of Primaya Hospital by a cardiologist. The procedure for installing a heart ring uses the angioplasty method. The patient will be asked to lie down as comfortable as possible. During the procedure, the patient will remain awake (conscious). Local anesthesia is applied to the groin, hand, or neck where the catheter will be inserted with the ring.
The procedure is performed using X-ray imaging to help slowly direct the catheter towards the heart and coronary arteries. The doctor can inject a contrast agent or liquid dye to help clogged blood vessels appear more clearly.
When the blockage in the blood vessel has been found, the doctor will place the catheter at the point of the blockage. At the end of the catheter, there is a balloon that will be inflated to expand the narrowed blood vessel. Once the blood vessels are wide, the heart ring is placed at this point and the balloon is then inflated. The doctor will pull the catheter out and leave a heart ring in the blocked blood vessel to keep the blood vessels open so the blood can flow smoothly.
Post-Heart Ring Installation Treatment
The Recovery stage is short. Generally, patients can be back to their normal activities within 24 hours after the procedure has been carried out. The doctor will prescribe anti-clotting drugs to prevent blood clot forming due to the insertion of a heart ring. The drugs are consumed for one year or in accordance with the doctor’s instructions to maintain the health of the blood vessels.
A heart ring installation is not a cure for coronary heart disease. This medical action only functions to overcome coronary artery blockages that can cause heart malfunction. Therefore, further treatment is needed to minimize the risk of new blockages with medical therapy and adopting a healthy lifestyle.
Cath Lab is part of Primaya Hospital’s Services at the Cardiac and Vascular Center. In addition to the Cath Lab, Primaya Hospital’s Cardiac and Vascular Center also provides electrocardiogram (EKG) services, Cardiac Electrophysiology, cardiac treadmill tests, CABG cardiac surgery and various other services.
