Angioplasty is a surgical procedure that widens an artery that has become narrowed due to plaques caused by atherosclerosis. Usually, angioplasty is performed by passing a deflated balloon (attached to a catheter) across the narrowed portion of the artery, then expanding the balloon under pressure. The expanded balloon compresses the material (lipids, cells, calcium and cholesterol) within the plaque, and most often reduces the stenosis (narrowing) being produced by the plaque.
Cardiologists usually place a stent in the formerly narrowed portion of the artery immediately after an angioplasty. The stent reduces the risk of restenosis (recurrent narrowing) of the artery.
Angioplasty is most commonly performed on the coronary arteries, but can be applied to arteries in other areas of the body affected by atherosclerosis.
