Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) is a medical procedure used to open narrowed or blocked coronary arteries, which are the blood vessels that supply the heart with oxygen and nutrients. It is a minimally invasive procedure that is performed by a trained interventional cardiologist.
During PTCA, a thin, flexible tube called a catheter is threaded through a blood vessel, usually in the leg or wrist, and guided to the blocked artery in the heart. The catheter is equipped with a tiny balloon at its tip. Once the catheter reaches the blockage site, the balloon is inflated by passing a liquid dye through it. The inflation of the balloon compresses the plaque or fatty deposits that are causing the blockage, thus widening the artery and improving blood flow to the heart.
Sometimes, a small metal mesh tube called a stent is placed in the treated artery after angioplasty to help keep it open. The stent acts as a scaffold, maintaining the inner diameter and preventing the artery from re-narrowing.
PTCA is typically performed as a treatment for coronary artery disease and angina, a condition characterized by chest pain or discomfort due to reduced blood flow to the heart. It alleviates symptoms, improves blood flow, and can help prevent heart attacks. The procedure has significantly reduced the need for more invasive coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery for many patients.
Although PTCA is generally safe, it carries certain risks, such as bleeding, infection, damage to blood vessels, or a heart attack. However, overall, PTCA has proven to be an effective treatment option for many individuals with coronary artery disease.
