Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA)
is a procedure in which a narrowed coronary artery is opened by a stent (an expandable wire-mesh
tube).   This procedure increases blood flow in coronary vessel previously blocked by blood clots or
plaque deposition.  This procedure is performed to combat heart attack and severe heart-related chest
pain (angina).

PCI is usually performed in the following procedure:
1.        A guiding catheter is introduced into the body through a main artery (femoral artery) in the leg and
pushed towards the coronary artery.
2.        Radiopaque dye is then injected into the coronary artery through the tip of the guiding catheter to
locate the blockage area by real time x-ray imaging.
3.        Based on the size of the blocked coronary artery, the appropriate type of balloon catheter and
coronary guidewire is introduced into the coronary artery through the femoral artery access.
4.        The flexible guidewire with a radiopaque tip is guided through the coronary artery and across the
blocked section of the artery.
5.        The balloon catheter is pushed towards the block section with the deflated balloon on top of the
blocked area.
6.        The balloon surrounded by the expandable stent is then inflated to deploy the stent and keep the
artery opened.

PCI is a common procedure for treating heart attack.
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
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