Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
balloon angioplasty
Minimally invasive procedure using an inflatable balloon to compress atherosclerotic plaque and restore vessel patency.
Full Definition
A percutaneous endovascular technique where a deflated balloon catheter is positioned within a stenotic vessel and then inflated to compress plaque against the arterial wall, thereby reopening the lumen. The procedure may be performed alone or in conjunction with stent placement. Success is measured by residual stenosis reduction and improvement in distal perfusion. Complications can include vessel dissection, perforation, or distal embolization.
Usage
Usage note: Always lowercase unless beginning a sentence. Often abbreviated as PTA in clinical notes.
In Context
- "The patient underwent balloon angioplasty of the superficial femoral artery with excellent technical success." — Operative report
- "Post-balloon angioplasty imaging demonstrated no residual stenosis and brisk flow to the foot." — Procedure note
Also known as
PTA
percutaneous transluminal angioplasty
Don't confuse with
stent placement
atherectomy