Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty
Medical term · P
A procedure used to open blocked coronary arteries. A small, thin tube with a tiny balloon at its tip is inserted into a narrowed coronary artery. The balloon is then inflated to widen the narrowed area. A stent may be put in place to hold the artery open. Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty is also known as balloon angioplasty.
Word parts
coronary = coron/o
- coron/oHeart; a crown or encircling structure.