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Cardiolucent

Procedure

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention / Coronary Stenting

An interventional treatment that opens a narrowed or blocked coronary artery and places a stent to keep it open. Coordinated for Cardiolucent members with trusted interventional cardiologists in Los Angeles.

What it is

Opening a blocked artery, mechanically.

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is the treatment performed when coronary angiography reveals a significant blockage that warrants opening. A balloon-tipped catheter is advanced to the blockage, the balloon is inflated to compress the plaque against the vessel wall, and in most cases a drug-eluting stent — a small expandable metal scaffold — is placed to keep the artery open. The procedure restores blood flow to the heart muscle downstream of the blockage and dramatically improves symptoms in patients with limiting angina.

We coordinate; we do not perform in-office.

PCI is a hospital procedure performed by interventional cardiologists in a cath lab — typically immediately following diagnostic angiography when a treatable blockage is found. Dr. Kedan does not perform PCI himself; he coordinates the referral to a trusted interventional colleague at Cedars-Sinai or another major Los Angeles institution and remains involved through every step of the longitudinal pre- and post-procedure care.

Symptomatic blockages, or stabilization after a heart attack.

PCI is indicated for limiting symptoms of angina that haven't responded to medical therapy, acute coronary syndromes, and select cases of stable coronary disease where the anatomy makes intervention more durable than medication alone. The decision is always individualized — many patients with stable coronary disease do equally well on optimized medical therapy without an intervention, and Dr. Kedan's review of the angiogram and your symptom pattern guides that judgment in concert with the interventional team.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Is PCI performed at Cardiolucent?
No. PCI requires a cardiac catheterization lab and is performed at a hospital by an interventional cardiologist. Dr. Kedan coordinates the referral, pre-procedure planning, and longitudinal follow-up.
How long is the recovery?
Most patients stay overnight in the hospital and go home the next day. Activity restrictions for the first week protect the access site (wrist or groin). Most patients return to normal activity within a few days; cardiac rehabilitation is often recommended over the following weeks.
What medications will I need afterward?
Dual antiplatelet therapy (aspirin plus a second agent like clopidogrel or ticagrelor) is essential after stenting to prevent stent thrombosis — typically for 6 to 12 months minimum, sometimes longer based on the stent type and your bleeding risk. Statin therapy is virtually always continued lifelong. Dr. Kedan manages the longitudinal medication plan.
What are the alternatives?
Depending on the anatomy and severity of disease, alternatives include optimized medical therapy alone (often equally effective for stable disease) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for complex multi-vessel disease. The right choice depends on the specific anatomy, symptom burden, and your overall cardiovascular picture — a decision Dr. Kedan walks through with you and the interventional team before any procedure.
What are the risks?
Major risks include stent thrombosis (acute blockage of the stent — uncommon with proper antiplatelet therapy), bleeding, contrast reactions, kidney injury, and very rarely stroke or vessel damage. Long-term risks include in-stent restenosis (re-narrowing) and the need for repeat procedures, both of which have become rare with modern drug-eluting stents.

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Medical Disclaimer

The information on this site is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reading this site does not create a doctor–patient relationship. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personal guidance. If this is an emergency, call 911. Mentions of medications, devices, or procedures are informational and not endorsements. Full medical disclaimer.

†Some listed indications involve investigational/off-label use. Learn more.