NCLEX Review & Nursing School

Two cardiac procedures that is normally done:

• Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Amgioplasty
• Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (CABG)

Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Amgioplasty (PTCA) with or without placement of stent, can be performed as an alternative to coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG).  The aim of the PTCA is to revascularize the myoardiu, dercrease angina, and increase the survival of the patient.  The PTCA is performed in the cardiac atherization lab and involves the insertiopn of a balloon-tipped catheter into the stenotic diseased coronary artery.  Post op and preop nursing interventions is the same as for a lient undergoing cardiac catheterization.

Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (CABG)

Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (CABG): a coronary artery bypass graft is the surgery of choice for clients with sever CAD.  During a CABG or coronary artery bypass surgery, there is a new supply of blood brought to a diseased/occluded coronary artery by bypassing the obstruction with a graft that is attached to the aorta proximally and to the coronary artery.  Postoperatively after the procedure, make sure to try to promote lung expansion and monitor for drainage from the chest tubes and the chest systems.