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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