Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), also called coronary angioplasty, widens a narrowed heart artery from the inside. A thin tube goes in at the wrist or groin, a small balloon opens the narrowing, and a stent usually holds it open. Dr Navin Chandra is a consultant cardiologist at Frimley Health, with interventional training at Royal Brompton and Harefield. He sees patients in Ascot, Slough and Windsor.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Who is it for? | People whose angina is not controlled by medicines, or who have a narrowing shown on an angiogram |
| How long does it take? | Usually between 30 minutes and 2 hours, awake with local anaesthetic |
| Will I stay in hospital? | Many people go home later that day, and some stay one night |
| When can I drive? | Not for a week, and car drivers do not need to tell the DVLA |
| Where are consultations? | Four hospitals in Ascot, Wexham, Slough and Windsor |
| How do I book? | Call 020 7099 9685 or use the online booking form |
What Is Percutaneous Coronary Intervention?
Percutaneous coronary intervention treats coronary arteries narrowed by fatty deposits. These vessels carry blood to the heart muscle. A balloon stretches the narrow section open, and in most cases a stent, a short tube of wire mesh, stays in for good.
Is it surgery? Not in the usual sense. It takes place in a catheter laboratory rather than an operating theatre, and the chest is not opened. The blog post on how PCI works goes into more depth.
Dr Chandra trained in interventional cardiology at Royal Brompton and Harefield. A fellowship on Vancouver Island, Canada, then focused on complex and higher-risk coronary patients.
Chest Pain at Rest or After a Stent: Getting Emergency Help
These symptoms cannot wait for a clinic visit, stent or no stent.
| Your symptom | Possible cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Chest pain that feels tight or squeezing, or spreads to your arms, neck or jaw | A heart attack | Call 999 |
| Wound bleeding that does not stop, or starts again, after 10 minutes of firm pressure | Bleeding from the catheter artery | Call 999 |
| Severe chest pain after the procedure that does not ease, even with angina medicine | Blockage in the treated artery | Call 999 |
| The arm or leg used for the catheter turns cold, numb or discoloured | Poor blood flow to that limb | Call 999 |
| Increasing pain or swelling at the wound, or a high temperature | Wound infection | Contact the hospital unit, cardiac nurse or GP, or NHS 111 out of hours |
Never drive yourself to hospital with these symptoms. The NHS page on recovery after coronary angioplasty gives the same warning signs. If your pain is new and you have never had a stent, read about chest pain and when it needs checking.
Coronary Problems Treated With PCI
A narrowed coronary artery shows itself in different ways.
- Stable angina not controlled by medicines: NICE advises considering PCI or bypass surgery when medicines do not settle symptoms well enough.
- Heart attack: in an emergency, an angiogram followed straight on by PCI is the preferred way to restore blood flow.
- Unstable angina: angioplasty can be an urgent treatment when angina has become unstable.
- A narrowing seen on an angiogram: the angiogram shows whether the artery is suitable for a stent.
- Narrowings in more than one artery: PCI and bypass surgery are weighed against each other first.
Stent, Balloon or Medicines: Treatment Options for Narrowed Coronary Arteries
There is more than one way to treat a narrowed heart artery.
Medicines and Lifestyle First
Medicines ease angina, and others cut the odds of a later heart attack or stroke. They suit most people with stable symptoms as a first step, but they do not open the artery.
Balloon Angioplasty and Stent
This is the procedure on this page, for angina that continues despite medicines. Bruising is common and serious problems are uncommon.
Coronary Bypass Surgery
A cardiac surgeon attaches a healthy blood vessel so blood can flow around the narrowing. It may suit some people with several narrowed arteries. It is a larger operation, and Dr Chandra refers you to a surgeon when bypass is the better route.
Emergency PCI for a Heart Attack
Known as primary PCI, this is done by the hospital heart attack team after a 999 call, as quickly as possible. It is never a booked appointment.
Why Patients Choose Dr Chandra for Coronary Intervention
- One consultant throughout: you see Dr Chandra at your first visit, for the procedure and at follow-up.
- Interventional training: subspecialty training at Royal Brompton and Harefield, where he holds an honorary post.
- International fellowship: a British Cardiovascular Intervention Society fellowship in Canada, focused on higher-risk coronary patients.
- NHS consultant: he is a consultant cardiologist at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust.
- Heart Team working: complex cases can be discussed with colleagues before a plan is agreed.
Training and roles: MBBS, BSc (Hons), MRCP (UK), MD (Res) and FRCP (UK). He is Specialty Lead for Cardiology at Brunel Medical School. Read more about Dr Navin Chandra.
Angiogram First: Finding the Narrowing Before Any Stent
No stent goes in until the narrowing has been seen clearly. A coronary angiogram does this, with a thin catheter from the groin or wrist, dye and X-ray pictures.
The NHS notes that the angiogram and the angioplasty are sometimes done in a single session. Dr Chandra tells you beforehand whether this may happen.
For possible angina with no earlier tests, NICE advises a CT coronary angiography scan first, covered under cardiac imaging. There is more on timing in when PCI is considered.
How Dr Chandra Decides Whether a Stent Will Help
A narrowing alone does not always call for a stent. Dr Chandra weighs these points with you.
- Your symptoms: how much angina limits you on medicines.
- The narrowing: how tight it is and which artery it affects.
- How many arteries: a single narrowing or several.
- Your general health: other conditions that shift the balance of risk.
- Your preferences: what matters most to you.
NICE advises a team meeting with cardiac surgeons when the choice is unclear. For stable angina, a stent mainly aims to ease symptoms. The post on who performs PCI explains each role.
What Happens on the Day of Your PCI
- Before: a light meal is usually fine. The hospital tells you if blood thinners or diabetes medicines need changing.
- Numbing: local anaesthetic at your wrist or groin, with a sedative through a drip if needed.
- Balloon and stent: guided by X-ray, a fine wire carries the balloon to the narrowing. The stent opens with the balloon and stays in place.
- Afterwards: firm pressure or a dissolving plug stops any bleeding.
Arrange a lift home. Before you agree, Dr Chandra goes through the likely gains, the risks and the other choices. For each step, read how PCI is done.
Recovery and Risks After Coronary Angioplasty
Recovery after a planned procedure is usually quick, though the wound may be sore for a few days.
- Activity: for roughly a week, and until the wound has healed, avoid heavy lifting or hard exercise.
- Work: most people go back after a week. After a heart attack, recovery can take weeks or months.
- Driving: leave the car for a week. Bus, coach and lorry licences carry stricter rules, with 6 weeks off the road.
- Medicines: expect to take blood-thinning medicines for up to a year, with one kept for life. Stopping early raises the chance of the stent blocking.
A bruise at the catheter site is common. Less often, an artery is damaged, you react to the contrast dye, or bleeding needs a transfusion. Rarely, a heart attack, stroke or death can happen. Your risk depends on your age, health and whether the procedure is urgent.
A stent may ease angina but does not stop the artery disease. See the advantages of PCI for more.
Where to See Dr Chandra About PCI
Consultations take place at four hospitals across East Berkshire and South Buckinghamshire.
| Hospital | Address |
|---|---|
| The Parkside Suite, Heatherwood Hospital | Brook Ave, Ascot SL5 7GB |
| The Parkside Suite, Wexham Park Hospital | Wexham, Slough, Berkshire SL2 4HL |
| BMI Princess Margaret Hospital | Osborne Road, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 3SJ |
| Spire Thames Valley Hospital | Wexham Street, Wexham, Buckinghamshire SL3 6NH |
The procedure itself takes place in a cardiac catheterisation laboratory at [hospital where Dr Chandra performs private PCI]. Contact the practice for clinic days, on 020 7099 9685, at enquiries@navinchandra.co.uk or through the contact form. At evenings and weekends, phone NHS 111. Emergencies need 999.
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Fees and Insurance
| Appointment | Fee |
|---|---|
| Consultation with Dr Chandra | Confirmed when you book |
| Coronary angiogram | Quoted after your assessment |
| PCI, including hospital fees | Quoted after your assessment |
2026 fees are confirmed when you book.
- Insured: check your cover and pre-authorisation with your insurer. The practice works with insurers including AXA Health, Aviva, Bupa, Cigna, Healix, Vitality and WPA.
- Self-pay: available, with a quote for the procedure from the hospital.
FAQs About Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Does an angioplasty always mean a stent?
Usually. The NHS says most modern procedures place a stent once the balloon has opened the narrowing. Dr Chandra explains beforehand which approach is likely for you.
Will I be awake during the procedure?
Yes. Local anaesthetic numbs the skin at your wrist or groin, so you can talk to the team. A sedative through a drip helps if you feel anxious.
Will I need to stay in hospital overnight?
Often not. After a planned procedure, many people go home later that day and others stay one night. After a heart attack, expect several days.
How soon can I drive after a stent?
Wait a week before driving a car, and there is no need to inform the DVLA. Holders of a bus, coach or lorry licence must inform the DVLA and stay off the road for 6 weeks.
When can I exercise again?
Skip heavy lifting and strenuous activity for about a week. Then build up gradually, with support from a cardiac rehabilitation programme if one is offered.
What happens if PCI is not suitable for me?
Medicines alone may control your angina. If several arteries are narrowed, or their shape rules out a stent, bypass surgery may be considered. Dr Chandra refers you to a cardiac surgeon if so.
Can the artery narrow again after a stent?
It can, although medicine-coated stents lower the risk. If angina returns, tell your doctor, as another angioplasty or bypass may be needed.
Why do I need to take medicines after a stent?
Blood-thinning medicines stop clots forming on the stent while the artery heals. Most people take two for up to a year, then one for life. Never stop them early.
Is it the same as a coronary angiogram?
No. An angiogram is a test using dye and X-rays to show the arteries. PCI is the treatment that opens a narrowing. The two can follow each other in one session.
Can I have PCI privately if I was seen on the NHS?
Yes. Dr Chandra works for Frimley Health and also sees private patients. Self-pay patients can book online. If you are insured, ask your insurer whether a GP referral is required.
Book a PCI Consultation with Dr Navin Chandra
Book to discuss your symptoms, an angiogram result or whether a stent may help.
- Phone: 020 7099 9685
- Email: enquiries@navinchandra.co.uk
- Online: the booking form, face to face or virtual
Tight chest pain, or pain spreading to your arm, neck or jaw, needs 999, not a booking. For urgent advice, call NHS 111. Narrowed heart valves need a different procedure, TAVI. You can also browse all treatments.