Balloon Angioplasty


Coronary angioplasty is accomplished using a balloon-tipped catheter inserted through an artery in the groin or arm to enlarge a narrowing in a coronary artery. Coronary artery disease occurs when cholesterol plaque builds up (atherosclerosis) in the walls of the arteries to the heart. The balloon is then inflated to clear the blockage and widen the artery.

Balloon angioplasty has been used in many arteries of the body including the femoral and iliac arteries of the leg and the carotid arteries.