When is an operation to widen blocked arteries better than clot-busting drugs?
When it comes to saving your life and reducing the risk of another heart attack, an operation to widen blocked arteries (coronary angioplasty) can be better than clot-busting (thrombolytic) drugs if: [1] • You are treated soon enough. To get the full benefit from surgery, you must get to hospital less than four hours after your chest pain starts • You have clear signs of a heart attack on your first electrocardiogram (ECG) tracing • You are in a well-equipped hospital • You are in a hospital that carries out at least 200 coronary angioplasties per year • You are treated by an experienced doctor who does at least 60 coronary angioplasties each year. Unfortunately, not all hospitals in the UK meet these standards. The Department of Health says that 97 in 100 people should be able to get treated quickly enough (within 2 hours of calling an ambulance). Hospitals have been told to plan to treat most people with an operation in future. We can’t say for certain which patients should have an o
