Coronary Angioplasty

With this procedure, a catheter is used to create a bigger opening in the vessel to increase blood flow. Using X-ray guidance, a thin wire is inserted into an artery in the leg to the blocked coronary artery. A small, balloon-tipped catheter (thin tube) is then guided over the wire to the blockage where the balloon is gently inflated to open up the artery so blood can flow through the area.

Why are the coronary arteries important?
Since coronary arteries deliver blood to the heart muscle, any coronary artery disorder or disease can have serious implications by reducing the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the heart, which may lead to a heart attack and possibly death. Atherosclerosis (a build-up of plaque in the inner lining of an artery causing it to narrow or become blocked) is the most common form of coronary artery disease.