What happens to the plaque when angioplasty is done?
When the balloon expands, it compresses the plaque against the wall of the artery. The wall of the artery itself stretches and moves outwards; both these actions result in the creation of a wider lumen inside the artery. There is some recoil which occurs immediately and re-narrows the artery. Later, in some patients, the injury created by the balloon can cause formation of fibrous tissue and cause re-narrowing.
