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Coronary Angioplasty (cont.)

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Coronary Balloon Angioplasty and Stents At A Glance

  • Coronary angioplasty is accomplished using a balloon-tipped catheter inserted through an artery in the groin or arm to enlarge a narrowing in a coronary artery.
  • Coronary artery disease occurs when cholesterol plaque builds up (arteriosclerosis) in the walls of the arteries to the heart.
  • Angioplasty is successful in opening coronary arteries in well over 90% of patients.
  • Up to 30% to 40% of patients with successful coronary angioplasty will develop recurrent narrowing at the site of balloon inflation.
  • The use of newer devices such as intracoronary stents and atherectomy, as well as newer pharmacologic agents has resulted in higher success rates, reduced complications, and reduced recurrence after percutaneous coronary intervention.

REFERENCE: eMedicine.com. "Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty".
<http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/161446-overview>


Last Editorial Review: 2/16/2010


Source: MedicineNet.com
http://www.medicinenet.com/coronary_angioplasty/article.htm

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