Angioplasztika

Angioplasztika, also known as angioplasty, is a minimally invasive endovascular procedure aimed at restoring blood flow through narrowed or blocked arteries. It is commonly used to treat coronary artery disease but can also address peripheral arterial disease and certain other vascular conditions. The procedure involves inserting a catheter with a deflated balloon at its tip into an artery, usually via the femoral or radial artery, and guiding it to the site of the narrowing under imaging. The balloon is inflated to compress atherosclerotic plaque and widen the vessel. In many cases a stent—a small mesh tube—is deployed to keep the artery open after balloon inflation. Drug-eluting stents release medication locally to reduce restenosis.

Types and variants include balloon angioplasty without a stent, stent-assisted angioplasty, and specialized approaches such as directional atherectomy or laser angioplasty in selected cases. In coronary angioplasty, the goal is to relieve angina or restore blood flow after myocardial infarction; in peripheral angioplasty, the aim is to improve limb perfusion.

Risks include vascular access site bleeding, vessel dissection or perforation, restenosis, stent thrombosis, kidney injury from contrast agents, infection, and allergic reactions. Recovery is typically faster than with open surgery, with most patients resuming normal activities within days. Antiplatelet therapy, usually aspirin alone or with another agent such as clopidogrel, is commonly prescribed after stent placement to reduce thrombosis risk. Long-term success depends on risk factor modification and ongoing medical treatment for hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol, and smoking cessation.