percutaneous coronary intervention
Also written as: PCI — Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
A minimally invasive cardiac procedure to open blocked coronary arteries using catheter-based techniques.
Full Definition
Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a non-surgical procedure performed through the skin to treat coronary artery disease. The procedure involves threading a catheter through blood vessels to reach the coronary arteries, where balloons, stents, or other devices can be deployed to restore blood flow. PCI is often performed as an emergency treatment for heart attacks or as a planned procedure for stable coronary disease. The term encompasses various techniques including balloon angioplasty, stent placement, and atherectomy.
Usage
Usage note: Always spell out on first use in patient-facing documents. Abbreviation PCI is standard in clinical contexts.
In Context
- "The patient underwent successful percutaneous coronary intervention to restore blood flow to the left anterior descending artery." — Hospital discharge summary
- "Emergency percutaneous coronary intervention was performed within 90 minutes of symptom onset." — Clinical research paper