Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
angioplasty
A minimally invasive procedure to widen narrowed or blocked blood vessels using a balloon catheter.
Full Definition
Angioplasty is a therapeutic procedure used to restore blood flow through narrowed or blocked arteries by mechanically widening the vessel. The procedure typically involves inserting a deflated balloon catheter into the affected vessel and inflating it to compress atherosclerotic plaque against the vessel wall. Often combined with stent placement, angioplasty is commonly performed on coronary arteries but can be applied to peripheral vessels. The term is frequently used in cardiology and interventional radiology contexts.
Usage
Usage note: Often hyphenated when used as an adjective (angioplasty-related complications).
In Context
- "The patient underwent successful coronary angioplasty with stent placement in the left anterior descending artery." — Medical procedure report
- "Peripheral angioplasty showed significant improvement in lower extremity blood flow." — Clinical assessment
Also known as
balloon angioplasty
percutaneous transluminal angioplasty
PTA
Don't confuse with
angiography
arthroplasty