Ballontágítás

Ballontágítás is a medical procedure used to widen narrowed or blocked passages within the body, most commonly blood vessels, but also ducts and tubes in organs like the heart, lungs, and digestive system. It is a type of minimally invasive surgery that uses a balloon catheter.

The procedure typically begins with a small incision, usually in the groin or arm, through which a thin, flexible tube called a catheter is inserted. Guided by imaging techniques such as X-ray or ultrasound, the catheter is navigated to the site of the blockage. Once in position, a deflated balloon at the tip of the catheter is inflated. The expansion of the balloon compresses the plaque or scar tissue that is causing the narrowing, thereby widening the passage and restoring normal blood flow or function. After the passage is widened, the balloon is deflated and removed along with the catheter.

Ballontágítás is frequently used to treat conditions like coronary artery disease, where blockages in the heart's arteries can lead to angina or heart attacks. It is also employed in peripheral artery disease, renal artery stenosis, and bile duct obstruction. The success rate of ballontágítás is generally high, though complications can occur, such as blood clots, damage to the vessel wall, or re-narrowing of the passage over time. Often, a stent, a small mesh tube, is placed at the site after balloon angioplasty to help keep the vessel open.