Balloon Angioplasty

Balloon angioplasty is a medical procedure used to open narrowed or blocked blood vessels, typically arteries. It is a minimally invasive technique commonly employed to treat conditions such as coronary artery disease (CAD) and peripheral artery disease (PAD). The procedure involves the use of a catheter with a small, inflatable balloon at its tip.

Here's how the procedure generally works:

Insertion of Catheter: A catheter with a deflated balloon is threaded through blood vessels to the site of the blockage or narrowing.

Balloon Inflation: Once in position, the balloon is inflated, compressing the plaque or fatty deposits against the arterial walls. This process widens the vessel and restores blood flow.

Improvement of Blood Flow: By widening the narrowed or blocked artery, balloon angioplasty helps improve blood flow to the affected area, reducing symptoms like chest pain (angina) or leg pain during walking.

In some cases, a stent may be placed during the procedure to help keep the vessel open after the balloon is inflated. This is known as angioplasty with stent placement.