Percutaneous coronary intervention

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), also known as coronary angioplasty, is a non-surgical procedure used to treat the stenotic (narrowed) coronary arteries of the heart found in coronary heart disease. These stenotic segments are due to the buildup of cholesterol-laden plaques that form due to atherosclerosis. PCI is usually performed by an interventional cardiologist.

Procedure

The procedure involves the insertion of a sheath into the femoral or radial artery. A catheter is passed through the sheath and is moved under fluoroscopic guidance to the heart. The cardiologist can then visualize the blocked artery using angiography. A balloon catheter is then passed over the wire into the stenosis and inflated to relieve the narrowing; certain devices such as stents can be deployed to keep the blood vessel open.

Indications

PCI is used to treat a variety of conditions related to coronary artery disease, including:

• Stable angina
• Acute coronary syndrome
• Myocardial infarction

Risks

Like all medical procedures, PCI carries some risk. These can include:

• Restenosis
• Coronary artery dissection
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Bleeding

See also

• Coronary artery bypass surgery
• Cardiac catheterization
• Angioplasty

External links

• Mayo Clinic - Percutaneous coronary intervention

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Percutaneous coronary intervention

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  Diagram of coronary arteries

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  Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

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  Wellens' syndrome ECG pattern

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  Stent placement during PTCA

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  Illustration of angioplasty with stent