Coronary Angioplasty

Coronary angioplasty is a procedure used to treat clogged, blockedor narrowed coronary arteries (the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart). These blockages are often caused by plaque (narrowing of arteries due to cholesterol or calcium deposition in the vessels), which can lead to chest pain (angina) or heart attacks.

Here’s how coronary angioplasty works:

Catheter Insertion: A doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube called a catheter into a blood vessel, usually in the radial artery of wrist or femoral artery of groin, and guides it to the blocked or narrowed coronary artery.
Balloon Inflation: Once the catheter and a very thin wire reaches the blockage, a small balloon send to the narrowed part of arteries over the wire and is inflated. The balloon presses the plaque against the artery walls, widening the artery and improving blood flow to the heart.
Stent Placement: Often, after the balloon is inflated, a small mesh tube called a stent is placed in the artery to help keep it open. The stent acts like a scaffold to prevent the artery from narrowing again

The goal of coronary angioplasty is to improve blood flow to the heart, relieve chest pain, and reduce the risk of heart attacks. It’s a less invasive alternative to bypass surgery and is commonly done for patients with coronary artery disease.