What is angioplasty or PTCA?
Angioplasty is an invasive catheter-based therapy whereby balloon inflation can reduce a severe symptomatic blockage in the arteries supplying the heart. Sometimes a small metal scaffold, called a stent, is deployed at the site to keep the vessel open. Other therapies include removing plaque with a rotablator, laser or directional atherectomy device. Radiation is often used to prevent re-growth of scarring after angioplasty or stenting for re-stenosis. These therapies decrease symptoms of chest pain (angina) by avoiding open-heart bypass surgery. What is coronary artery disease (CAD)? CAD is a disease of the arteries that supply the heart with oxygen and nourishment. Plaque build up in the vessel wall can cause symptoms of chest discomfort (angina). CAD is the substrate for heart attack. Plaque may erode from the vessel wall, and obstruct blood flow to the heart, causing a heart attack. Heart disease risk factors include smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, a famil
Related Questions
- What are the early outcomes of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with two- and three-vessel coronary artery disease?
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- What is PTCA or Angioplasty?
