percutaneous coronary intervention

Full Definition

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a minimally invasive cardiac procedure used to treat coronary artery disease by mechanically widening narrowed or obstructed coronary arteries. The procedure typically involves insertion of a catheter through the femoral or radial artery, advancement to the coronary circulation, and deployment of a balloon catheter to compress atherosclerotic plaque against the vessel wall. Most PCIs now include placement of a coronary stent to maintain vessel patency. PCI can be performed electively for stable coronary disease or emergently for acute coronary syndromes. The procedure has largely replaced surgical coronary artery bypass grafting for single-vessel and many multi-vessel disease presentations.

Usage

Usage note: PCI is preferred over the older term PTCA (percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty).

In Context

• "Primary percutaneous coronary intervention was performed successfully with deployment of a drug-eluting stent." — Cardiac catheterization report
• "The patient was referred for elective PCI of the proximal left anterior descending artery." — Cardiology referral letter