A technique for treating a narrowed or blocked section of blood vessel by introducing a catheter with a balloon into the constricted area. The balloon is inflated to widen the narrowed area, deflated again, and then removed. Balloon angioplasty is used to restore blood flow in peripheral vascular disease and coronary artery disease.
Coronary balloon angioplasty is usually successful, but the narrowing may recur
in the affected vessel, requiring repeat treatment.
Angioplasty of peripheral vessels is most successful in treating the iliac and femoral arteries in the legs.
A method of treating blockage or narrowing of a blood vessel by recanalising the vessel – that is, inserting a balloon into the constriction to reopen it. The technique is used to treat a narrowed artery in the heart or a limb. About 65 per cent of patients treated bene?t, but when symptoms persist or recur the procedure may be repeated. There is a small risk of damage to the vessel or valve. New procedures under development include the use of lasers, cutting drills and suction to remove the deposits of ATHEROMA blocking the arteries.... angioplasty
n. an inflatable plastic cylinder of variable size that is mounted on a thin tube and used for dilating narrow areas (*stenosis) in blood vessels (see angioplasty), in the alimentary tract (*strictures), or in the urinary tract (see endopyelotomy).... balloon
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