Details of Balloon Angioplasty

Balloon angioplasty is a common procedure to open arteries in the heart that are clogged. This procedure is formally known as coronary angioplasty or percutaneous coronary intervention. This procedure uses balloon to inflate the diseased artery.

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Heart attack
• Atherosclerosis
• Coronary heart disease
• Blockage of an artery and angina

Angioplasty involves the use of a tiny balloon to widen the artery. A stent is a tiny wire-mesh tube that your doctor inserts into the artery. The stent stays in place to prevent the artery from closing.

The risks associated with the procedure include:

• Allergic reaction to medication or dye.
• Breathing problems.
• Bleeding.
• Blockage of the stented artery.
• Blood clot.
• Heart attack.
• Infection.
• Re-narrowing of the artery.