Angioplasty, when blocked blood vessels or narrowed vessels are straightened out with the help of minor surgery, mostly in arteries. It is specifically known as Percutaneous Coronary Intervention or PCI when performed in the heart. Angioplasty helps restore healthy blood flow, and it is one of the most significant treatments for heart attack patients. The cost of this treatment varies from area to area. Further, we will discuss the Angioplasty cost in South Africa in detail.
How Much Does Angioplasty Cost in South Africa?
If you’re getting angioplasty in South Africa, the price tag is all over the place. It mostly boils down to whether you’re going public hospital or a private one, and how tricky your heart situation actually is.
- Public Hospitals: Honestly, this is where you’ll pay almost a negligible amount, or sometimes it’s literally free for some services. The waiting lists are insane, sometimes a month long, maybe even years, unless you’re in the middle of a health crisis. They usually save the beds for emergencies and high-risk cases.
- Private Hospitals: Here, they might be providing you the early treatments, which totally depends on your wallet. Prices vary too much, anywhere from USD 5,000 to USD 15,000, and sometimes more if things get worse.
Factors Influencing the Cost of Angioplasty in South Africa
Several factors influence the angioplasty cost in South Africa. Prices vary by the condition of the patient as well as the quality of the healthcare provider
- Medical Complexity: Peripheral procedures cost less than coronary angiography. Additional time is required to examine the complex cases and emergency ones. In some cases, there could be a need for specialised equipment, which overall increases the expense.
- Type of Facility: Facility type can directly target your wallet, as hospital-based right heart catheterization labs generally charge more than outpatient cardiac centres due to higher overhead costs. Moreover, facilities that have advanced digital imaging systems may charge much higher rates for their low radiation exposure and precise results.
- Geographic Location: Urban areas are likely to have a higher cost than semi-urban or rural areas because of the high cost there.
- Insurance Coverage: Health Insurance covers, and can save you a lot in these critical conditions. It saves you there, too, when you are running out of pocket money.
- Additional Services: Include sedation levels, pre-procedure testing, overnight observation, and post-procedure care. The expertise level of interventional cardiologists or specialized radiologists also influences physician fees.
- Billing Structure: Billing structure can vary at different hospitals. The billing includes the charge of equipment, surgeons’ fees, and other charges related to services provided. Considering these factors helps the patient to prepare themself financially.
Cost of Angioplasty in South Africa’s Metro Cities
The cost of angioplasty in South Africa varies from one city to another. Here are the reference costs for the top 3 cities in South Africa, according to angioplasty treatment.
| City | Minimum Cost (USD) | Minimum Cost (ZAR) | Maximum Cost (USD) | Maximum Cost (ZAR) |
| Durban | USD 5190 | 91000 | USD 15498 | 271780 |
| Cape Town | USD 5247 | 92000 | USD 15373 | 269550 |
| Johannesburg | USD 5104 | 89500 | USD 15099 | 264755 |
Angioplasty Cost: A Global Comparison
The quality of healthcare and medical facilities is different in different countries. Here is the list of the best countries with the best medical infrastructure, with the cost reference for angioplasty treatment.
| City | Minimum Cost (USD) | Minimum Local Currency | Maximum Cost (USD) | Maximum Local Currency |
| India | USD 3150 | INR 275814 | USD 4650 | INR 407154 |
| UAE | USD 4650 | AED 17077 | USD 10250 | AED 37643 |
| Saudi Arabia | USD 2893 | SAR 10854 | USD 6885 | SAR 25832 |
| Turkey | USD 4210 | TRY 172606 | USD 5690 | TRY 233284 |
| Israel | USD 7620 | ILS 25772 | USD 14352 | ILS 48541 |
| Malaysia | USD 10120 | MYR 42579 | USD 15180 | MYR 63869 |
When to See a Doctor?
Several symptoms can be the early signs of blocked nerve vessels.
- Shortness of breath, fatigue, blackout, and feeling lightheaded.
- Drastic pain in the chest, which can last up to 4-7 minutes.
- Signs of stroke or heart attack.
- Sudden severe leg pain with coldness or colour changes.
If the case is mild, there is a way for heart blockage treatment without surgery, too.
Procedure of Angioplasty Surgery
The complete procedure is described in three parts below:
Pre-Procedure
- Patient receives local anesthesia and mild sedation.
- IV line inserted for medications.
- Continuous heart monitoring attached.
- Medication to reduce the consistency of blood.
During the Procedure
- Access: A small incision is made, usually in the wrist.
- Guide Wire Insertion: Thin wire threaded through arteries to the blocked area using X-ray guidance
- Placing a Catheter: To block the site, a balloon catheter over a guidewire is placed.
- Against the wall of the arteries, a balloon is inflated.
- Placement of Stent: Only if required, to keep the artery open, an expandable mesh stent is placed
- Last Checks: To confirm the improvement of blood flow, a contrast dye is injected.
- Final Process of Removal: Guide wire & Catheter removed, pressure will be applied on the insertion site.
Post Operative Recovery
- After several hours of the surgery, the patient is monitored for.
- A patient with a blood insertion always required a gurney.
- Most of the patients were discharged and could get home on the same day of the operation, and some went home on next morning.
Full recovery typically takes 1-2 weeks. The procedure is minimally invasive and performed while the patient is awake, though comfortable from sedation.
How Do You Prepare For An Angioplasty?
Following preparation for surgery ensure to helps in safety and success:
Medical Preparation
- Blood tests will be taken to check the functionality of the kidneys, the ability of blood clotting, and the blood count.
- Pre-medical history or doctors may pause certain medications related to blood, like medications related to diabetes and blood pressure.
- Assessment of the Heart by doing E-X-Rays and ECG.
- Assessment for allergy is performed.
- A consent form will be given to sign the procedure authorization.
Day Before Surgery
- Before every surgery related to blood, fasting is instructed. Usually, before 13-14 hours before surgery.
- Take a shower with antibacterial soap before surgery.
- Take only approved medications.
Day of Surgery
- Arrive 90 to 100 minutes before the given time for surgery to get comfortable.
- Wear comfortable clothes, although the patient’s clothes are being provided.
- Avoid nail paints, makeup, or any jewelry.
- Try to empty your bladder before the procedure
- Remove bifocal lenses or dental plate if instructed
Questions that You can Ask the Doctor
- Instructions related to specific medications you are on.
- Restrictions on the activities after the operation
- Expected timeline of recovery as per the condition
- Emergency contact information in case of urgency.
How Much Time Does Angioplasty Surgery Take?
Angioplasty can take up to one to five hours to complete, depending on various factors. Majorly on the severity of the condition of patient.
The Procedure Itself
- Simple Angioplasty: 30-60 minutes
- Complex Cases: 1-3 hours
- Multiple Blockages: 2-4 hours
- Emergency Cases: May be faster due to urgency
Factors Affecting Duration
- Number of blocked arteries
- Location and severity of blockages
- Whether stents are needed
- Patient’s anatomical complexity
- Complications during the procedure
Risk & Complications of this Surgery
There are several risks and complications for angioplasty, too, as with all other surgeries.
Common Risks (2-6% of cases)
- The catheter insertion site starts to bleed.
- Hematoma or bruising at the access point.
- Due to the contrast dye, there can be temporary kidney problems.
- Allergic reaction to contrast dye or medications.
- Irregular heart rhythms during the procedure.
Serious Complications (Less than 1%)
- Heart attack during or after the procedure.
- Stroke from blood clots or plaque fragments.
- A surgery is required if the artery tears.
- Blood transfusion may be required in case of severe bleeding.
- Kidney damage from contrast dye.
Stent-Related Complications
- It can cause stent thrombosis, in which blood clots in the stent.
- In some cases (5-10%), re-narrowing of the artery is required, a process known as Restenosis.
- In a very rare case, displacement of the stent or damage to it.
Long-term Risks
- Repeat blockages requiring additional procedures.
- Scar tissue formation around the stent.
- Need for lifelong blood-thinning medications.
Higher Risk Patients
- Advanced age
- Kidney disease
- Multiple medical conditions
- Emergencies
- Previous heart procedures
Death Risk
- Death risk is less than 1% for general patients.
- The rate is slightly higher for the emergency patients.
Despite all of the above-mentioned risks, angioplasty is considered to be one of the safest treatments. And provides benefits and potentially positive outcomes.
Benefits of Angioplasty Treatment
There are so many benefits of angioplasty as follows:
Immediate Benefits
- Rapid relief from symptoms & chest pain improves immediately in most cases.
- Blood flow will be restored immediately to the heart and related organs.
- It can be life-saving for a heart attack patient and prevent the heart from future damage.
- Faster recovery as compared to open-heart surgery.
- Surgery is minimal, as a small incision is made instead of major surgery.
Quality of Life Improvements
- Increased Exercise Capacity: Ability to walk farther, climb stairs
- Reduced chest pain during daily activities.
- No more chest pain or discomfort at the time of sleep.
- After 4-5 days, patients can return to their regular activities.
- No more signs of fatigue with improved energy levels.
Long-term Health Benefits
- The menace of a heart attack is cut by 26-32%.
- The ability to pump blood is improved.
- Lower risk of sudden cardiac death.
- Prevents progression to more severe heart disease.
- May avoid the need for bypass surgery.
Practical Advantages
- Stay is shorter in the hospital, just for 1-2 days.
- Faster recovery than surgical alternatives.
- Lower infection risk than open surgery.
- Can be repeated if needed.
- Outpatient procedure in many cases.
Success Rate of Angioplasty
Cardiovascular care is revolutionized with the rapidly growing medical research and technical advancements. Angioplasty treatment is a real enabler here, offering highly driven positive outcomes with minimal disruption to daily life.
- The technical success rate is around 95-98%.
- Most of the patients experience improvement in symptoms.
- Proper medications and a little change in lifestyle can provide long-term effectiveness.
Conclusion
The cost of Angioplasty in South Africa significantly varies between public healthcare and private healthcare. Pubic healthcare is subsidised by the government, whereas private healthcare can cost you thousands or half a million. But private facilities will treat you faster and earlier with high advancement of their equipment. However, the cost totally depends on the severity of the patient, whether any additional service is required, or not. Most of the private healthcare providers consider the medical insurance for this life-saving cardiac procedure.