From Danville Regional Health System
Better Health Magazine Archives

In a healthy cardiovascular system, blood flows freely through the coronary artery to the heart. But over time, fatty deposits can accumulate in the arteries, restricting the flow of blood, and putting the individual at risk of a heart attack.

A procedure called angioplasty was developed to treat this condition. In angioplasty, a catheter is inserted into the artery and a tiny balloon is inflated, compressing the plaque against the artery walls and allowing blood to flow again. Unfortunately, many times the opening does not stay clear, and another angioplasty, or even a heart bypass is needed.

As a result, a new procedure called percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was developed. Here, a stent (a tiny, expandable wire mesh tube) is carried to a blocked artery. Then when the balloon is inflated, the stent expands along with it. Once the balloon is removed, the stent stays in place - providing a much greater likelihood that the affected artery won't close up again.