Coronary angioplasty and stents

Coronary angioplasty, also referred to as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), is a procedure used to open clogged heart arteries. Angioplasty involves temporarily inserting and blowing up a tiny balloon where your artery is clogged to help widen the artery.

Angioplasty is often combined with the placement of a small metal coil called a stent in the clogged artery to help prop the artery open and decrease the chance of it narrowing again (restenosis). Some stents are coated with medication to help keep your artery open (drug-eluting stents) while others are not (bare-metal stents).

Angioplasty can improve some of the symptoms of blocked arteries, such as chest pain and shortness of breath. Angioplasty can also be used during a heart attack to quickly open a blocked artery and reduce the amount of damage to your heart.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/angioplasty/MY00352