Angioplasty
The goal of coronary balloon angioplasty is to push the atherosclerotic plaque back against the artery wall to make more room for blood to flow through the artery. This improved blood flow reduces symptoms of angina and in some patients prolongs survival.

The procedure begins with the physician using a local anesthetic to numb a specific area of the patient's body - usually the upper thigh/groin area where the femoral artery is located. This is the artery into which a thin tube with an un-inflated balloon at the tip (balloon-tipped catheter) will be inserted. The physician inserts the balloon-tipped catheter through the femoral artery and advances it up the aorta and into the heart. Once the balloon-tipped catheter is at the site of the blockage, the balloon at the tip of the catheter is inflated, compressing the plaque in the artery against the wall of the artery. The balloon-tipped catheter is then removed or replaced with a stent (a wire mesh tube used to hold the artery open). The patient is then given time to recover. Most patients are free to go home after about 24 hours.