Procedures

Angioplasty, Stent Placement and Atherectomy

Invasive techniques that improve blood supply to the heart may be used to treat coronary artery disease. One of these is percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, also known as PTCA, angioplasty, balloon dilation or balloon angioplasty.

Blocked Artery

Artery after PTCA

Angioplasty and Stent Placement

Angioplasty uses a balloon device to compress the plaque against the artery wall. This procedure is also known as PTCA (percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty). In more than 70% of procedures performed at Hoag Heart and Vascular Institute, another device is also used in conjunction with the balloon. These are tiny metal structures called stents.

Stents are mounted on an angioplasty balloon and positioned at the site of the blockage. When the balloon is inflated, the stent expands and is pressed into the inner wall of the artery. The balloon is deflated and removed with the stent remaining in place, serving as permanent scaffolding for the newly widened artery.

Balloon

Stent

Atherectomy, Rotational Atherectomy

Some devices actually remove the plaque itself in a process knows as atherectomy. There are many types of devices but all of them have a shaver or grinding component that removes the plaque from the diseased area. Many times a balloon angioplasty is performed at the same time.

Atherectomy

Additional Information:

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