Coronary angioplasty, also called percutaneous coronary intervention, is a procedure used to open clogged heart arteries.
The term "angioplasty" means using a balloon to stretch open a narrowed or blocked artery. However, most modern angioplasty procedures also involve inserting a short wire-mesh tube, called a stent, into the artery during the procedure. The stent is left in place permanently to allow blood to flow more freely.
Heart is a muscular organ that pumps blood all over the body, in order to supply oxygen and nutrients to other organs and tissues.
To do so, heart also needs a constant supply of blood to get oxygen and nutrients. Heart is supplied by the first pair of arteries to originate from the aorta, called "Coronary arteries".
But in certain individuals, these coronary arteries can become narrowed due to the deposition of fatty material called atherosclerotic plaques.
These plaques protrude in to the lumen of the coronary arteries, causing obstruction.
If the obstruction is more than 70%, person may experience some warning signs in the form of severe chest pain on exertion, and this pain typically resolves with rest. This is called an angina.
However, sometimes, these atherosclerotic plaques can rupture and induce the formation of a blood clot on top of the plaque, leading to complete obstruction of the artery. Here, the area of heart muscle supplied by that artery will undergo death due to lack of oxygen supply. This is called a heart attack, or a myocardial infarction.

While angina can often be treated with medication, a coronary angioplasty may be required to restore the blood supply to the heart in severe cases where medication is ineffective.
Coronary angioplasties are also often used as an emergency treatment after a heart attack.

In most cases, the blood flow through the coronary arteries improves after an angioplasty. Many people find their symptoms get significantly better and they're able to do more than they could before the procedure.

If you've had a heart attack, an angioplasty can increase your chances of surviving more than clot lysing medication. The procedure can also reduce your chances of having another heart attack in the future.
A coronary angioplasty is performed using local anesthetic, which means you'll be awake while the procedure is carried out.

A thin flexible tube called a catheter will be inserted into one of your arteries through an incision in your groin, wrist or arm. This is guided to the affected coronary artery using an X-ray video.

When the catheter is in place, a thin wire is guided down the length of the affected coronary artery, delivering a small balloon to the affected section of artery. This is then inflated to widen the artery, squashing fatty deposits against the artery wall so blood can flow through it more freely when the deflated balloon is removed.

If a stent is being used, this will be around the balloon before it's inserted. The stent will expand when the balloon is inflated and remains in place when the balloon is deflated and removed.

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A coronary angioplasty usually takes between 30 minutes and 2 hours. If you're being treated for angina, you'll normally be able to go home later the same day or the day after you have the procedure. You'll need to avoid heavy lifting, strenuous activities and driving for at least a week.

If you've been admitted to hospital following a heart attack, you may need to stay in hospital for several days after the angioplasty procedure before going home.


So, what are the risks associated with coronary angioplasty?
Coronary angioplasties are most commonly performed in people aged 65 or older, as they're more likely to have heart disease.

As the procedure doesn't involve making major incisions in the body, it's usually carried out safely in most people. Doctors refer to this as a minimally invasive form of treatment.

The risk of serious complications from a coronary angioplasty is generally small, but this depends on factors such as, Age, General health of the patient, Previous heart conditions such as heart attack etc.
Serious problems that can occur as a result of the procedure include,

Excessive bleeding.
Heart attack.
And stroke.