Angioplasty

This nonsurgical procedure can be used to open coronary arteries that are blocked by a blood clot. During angioplasty, a catheter (a thin, flexible tube) with a balloon on the end is threaded through a blood vessel to the blocked coronary artery. Then, the balloon is inflated to push the plaque against the wall of the artery. This widens the inside of the artery, restoring blood flow.

During angioplasty, a small mesh tube called a stent may be put in the artery to help keep it open. Some stents are coated with medicines that help prevent the artery from becoming blocked again.

A number of different kinds of medicines may be used to treat heart attack. They include the following:

Medicine Description	Purpose
Thrombolytic Medicines	These medicines (also called clot busters) are used to dissolve blood clots that are blocking the coronary arteries. To be most effective, these medicines must be given within 1 hour after the start of heart attack symptoms.
Beta Blockers	These medicines decrease the workload on your heart. Beta blockers also are used to relieve chest pain or discomfort and to help prevent additional heart attacks. Beta blockers also are used to correct arrhythmias(irregular heartbeats).
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors	These medicines lower blood pressure and reduce the strain on your heart. They also help slow down further weakening of the heart muscle.
Anticoagulants	These medicines thin the blood and prevent clots from forming in your arteries.
Antiplatelet Medicines	These medicines (such as aspirin and clopidogrel) stop platelets (a type of blood cell) from clumping together and forming unwanted clots.
Other Medicines	Medicines may also be given to relieve pain and anxiety, and to treat arrhythmias, which often occur during a heart attack.