balloonangioplastiat

Balloonangioplastiat, also known as balloon angioplasty, is a minimally invasive medical procedure used to widen narrowed or blocked blood vessels by inflating a small balloon on a catheter at the site of stenosis. The balloon compresses plaque against the vessel wall, enlarging the lumen and improving blood flow. It is commonly performed in coronary arteries for coronary artery disease and in peripheral, carotid, and renal arteries for various forms of vascular narrowing. The technique was developed in the late 1970s by Andreas Gruentzig and became a widely adopted alternative to open surgical bypass. Over time, it has evolved to include stent placement and drug-eluting technologies to enhance outcomes.

Procedure and technology typically involve percutaneous access through the femoral or radial artery. A guidewire is advanced to the target lesion, followed by delivery of a deflated balloon catheter. The balloon is then inflated to pre-dilate the lesion; in many coronary cases, a stent may be deployed to scaffold the vessel after angioplasty. Post-procedure antiplatelet therapy is commonly prescribed. Drug-eluting balloons, which release anti-proliferative medication, are available as an option to reduce restenosis in selected lesions.

Risks include vessel dissection or perforation, acute vessel closure, restenosis, thrombosis, bleeding at the access site, contrast-induced nephropathy, and, in carotid procedures, the risk of stroke. Overall success rates are high in experienced centers, with outcomes improving through the use of stents and drug-coated technologies. Balloonangioplastiat remains a foundational tool in interventional cardiology and vascular medicine, with ongoing refinements and lesion-specific indications.