Coronary angioplasty, also known as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), is a medical procedure used to open clogged arteries of the heart. These blockages are typically caused by atherosclerosis, a condition where plaque builds up inside the coronary arteries, reducing blood flow to the heart. This can lead to chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, or, in more severe cases, a heart attack.
The procedure involves the insertion of a thin, flexible tube called a catheter into a blood vessel, usually in the groin or wrist. The catheter is guided through the vascular system to the affected coronary artery. Once in place, a small balloon attached to the catheter's tip is inflated. This inflation helps to compress the plaque against the artery wall, thereby widening the artery and restoring blood flow.
In most cases, a stent, a small wire mesh tube, is also placed in the artery during angioplasty. The stent helps keep the artery open after the balloon is deflated and removed. Some stents are coated with medication (drug eluting stents) to help prevent the artery from getting blocked again.
The success rate of coronary angioplasty is high, and it significantly improves symptoms like chest pain and shortness of breath and has survival benefits in case of acute heart attacks. However, it's not a cure for coronary artery disease. Post-procedure, patients often need to take medications and make lifestyle changes to prevent further artery blockage.
Overall, coronary angioplasty is a critical tool in the management of coronary artery disease, offering a minimally invasive option to improve heart health and patient quality of life.