CORONARY ANGIOPLASTY and STENTING

What is this test?

A coronary angioplasty is a procedure to stretch open a blocked or narrowed artery. It is performed in a similar way to coronary angiography, sometimes as part of the same procedure. Coronary angioplasty is done with a small balloon which is passed across the narrowing inside the coronary artery and then inflated to stretch it open, thereby improving blood flow. After widening the vessel with angioplasty, a stent may be inserted. Stents are tiny metal mesh tubes that are placed inside the coronary artery – they are designed to scaffold open the coronary artery walls with the intention of keeping the vessel open.