Balloon angioplasty, also called percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PCTA), is used to dilate narrowed arteries. A thin tube with a deflated balloon on its tip is passed into the narrowed part of the artery, then the balloon is inflated, and the narrowed area widened. It is an alternative to bypass surgery for some patients with coronary artery disease. The development of coronary stent, a meshwork tube left in place after balloon angioplasty, improves the success rate for coronary intervention procedures while reducing the chance of re-narrowing of the diseased site. The latest type of stent is coated with medication inside and further lowers the rate of re-narrowing of the artery.
Peripheral Intervention
Perfect Heart Institute also provides evaluation and treatment of peripheral vascular disease which usually presents as pain in the arms and legs, particularly during physical activity. Diagnostic tests include ankle brachial index, CT angiography, or magnetic resonance imaging. Balloon angioplasty and stenting can be used to treated this condition.
