Angioplasty

Coronary balloon angioplasty is an invasive method of opening blocked arteries that might impede flow to the heart and possibly result in heart attack or death. Angioplasty means "blood vessel repair."

Procedure
The procedure involves creating space in the blocked artery by inserting and inflating a tiny balloon, which compresses some of the blocking plaque against the arterial wall. When the balloon is deflated and removed, the plaque still remains compressed, clearing space in the artery and improving blood flow.

First, a special dye is injected into the bloodstream. Then a thin catheter with a guideline is fed into your body through the femoral artery in your leg, near the groin. Using x-rays that detect the flow of dye, the doctor feeds the catheter through the circulatory system, up to the heart, and into the blocked part of the artery. The doctor then replaces the guide catheter with a balloon-tipped catheter. The balloon is inflated, and the plaque is compressed against the arterial wall. After this, the balloon is deflated and the catheter is removed, leaving the plaque still compressed against the wall and the artery newly widened.

Candidates for Angioplasty
Since angioplasty is a less invasive procedure than bypass surgery, it has less risk and a quicker recovery period than bypass. However, it is not recommended for all patients. Candidates for angioplasty are chosen based on a patient's age, physical history, and severity of the blockage or damage.