Coronary angioplasty is a minimally invasive medical procedure to remove blockages in the coronary arteries of the heart. Coronary angioplasty is also called percutaneos transluminal coronary angioplasty. Coronary arteries supply blood to the muscles of the heart. Any blockage in the coronary arteries means reduced blood supply to heart muscles resulting in heart attack or heart failure. The blockages are caused by fatty deposits against the walls of coronary arteries.
Coronary angioplasty is carried out by inserting a thin flexible tube called the catheter is inserted in the artery through a cut in groin, arm or wrist. The catheter is guided to the affected coronary artery using an X-ray video. The blockage can be removed by either placing a stent or inflating a balloon at the site of blockage. Once the catheter is in place, a catheter balloon is inflated at the site of blockage to crush the fatty deposits against the walls of the artery so that blood can move more freely when the balloon is deflated. Another approach in coronary angioplasty is placing a stent permanently at the site of blockage. This could take 30-40 minutes to perform. Coronary angioplasty reduces chances of another heart attack and increases chances of survival in the patients.