Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) - often abbreviated to angioplasty - is a procedure to re-open a narrowed coronary artery.

The heart muscle is supplied with oxygen by blood arriving through the coronary arteries. If these arteries are narrowed by fatty deposits, the heart becomes starved of oxygen, which causes pain in the chest, called angina.

A successful angioplasty brings relief from angina and can make a heart attack less likely

This procedure is performed by the cardiology unit of hospitals, in a specially-equipped room often called a catheterization lab (or "cath lab" for short).

The procedure lasts between 15 and 45 minutes. It is carried out under a local anesthesia and mild sedation.

A guiding catheter is passed through a large artery in the groin or arm to the heart. The physician monitors the insertion of the catheter under fluoroscopy via x-ray. An injection of liquid contrast medium through the catheter allows the physician to visualize coronary arteries and locate the blockage.

A guide wire is then threaded through the catheter and manipulated beyond the site of the blockage.

With the guide wire in place, a balloon catheter is inserted over the guide wire and advanced.

Once in place, the balloon is gently inflated in the narrowed segment and then deflated after a few minutes. This reopens the artery to allow improved flow of blood.

Sometimes the physician can decide to place a small tube, called a "stent" inside the re-opened artery to hold it open. The stent is passed along to the tip of the catheter and then opened up.

The balloon catheter, guide wire and guide catheter are then removed.

The procedure is generally successful and has a low rate of complications. The most common problem is a gradual re-narrowing of the treated arteries, which causes angina symptoms to return.