Coronary Angioplasty

In this procedure, a catheter is used to create a bigger opening in the vessel in order to increase blood flow.

Although angioplasty is performed in other blood vessels, Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) refers to angioplasty in the coronary arteries, which permits more blood to flow into the heart.

There are several types of PTCA procedures, including:

• Balloon angioplasty—A small balloon is inflated inside the blocked artery to open the blocked area.
• Coronary artery stent—A small balloon with a tiny coil-stent is expanded inside the blocked artery to open the blocked area. The stent is left in place to keep the artery open.

A coronary artery stent is the most common procedure performed for a blocked artery. Each stent manufacturer has specific recommendations related to its stent.

Your physician will give you a booklet about your cardiac stent, which contains an identification card with information about the size, location and type of stent you have. It is a good idea to keep the identification card with you.