PTCA stands for “percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty,” which is a minimally invasive heart procedure for opening up coronary arteries that have been narrowed by plaque buildup (a condition called coronary atherosclerosis). In certain patients, it may be used as an alternative to cardiac bypass surgery. Usually, the patient remains awake while the physician threads a catheter into an artery in the groin and up into the heart. Next, an imaging study called a coronary angiogram is performed to allow optimal visualization of the clogged artery or arteries. The physician then introduces a tiny balloon through the catheter and inflates it multiple times in order to push plaque tight against the artery wall and allow a freer flow of blood. When further imaging confirms that the artery is clear, the balloon and catheters are extracted and the procedure is concluded.
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