what is angioplasty surgery

Angioplasty is a medical procedure used to open blocked or narrowed blood vessels that supply blood to the heart, called coronary arteries. The procedure is also known as percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) . During angioplasty, a long, thin tube called a catheter is inserted into a blood vessel in the groin, wrist, or arm and guided to the blocked coronary artery using X-ray video. A tiny balloon at the tip of the catheter is inflated at the narrowed area of the heart artery, pressing the plaque or blood clot against the sides of the artery and making more room for blood flow. In most cases, a stent, which is a short wire mesh tube, is also inserted into the artery during the procedure and left in place permanently to allow blood to flow more freely. The stent can be coated with medication to help keep the artery open. Angioplasty can improve symptoms of blocked arteries, such as chest pain and shortness of breath, and can increase the chances of surviving a heart attack. The procedure is usually performed using local anesthesia, and most people can walk around within six hours after the procedure.