balloondilatáció

Balloon dilatation, also known as balloon angioplasty or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in the context of heart arteries, is a minimally invasive medical procedure used to widen narrowed or blocked blood vessels. It is primarily employed to treat atherosclerotic disease, where plaque buildup restricts blood flow.

The procedure involves inserting a thin, flexible tube called a catheter into a blood vessel, typically in the groin or arm. This catheter is guided under imaging guidance to the site of the blockage. Once in position, a small, deflated balloon at the tip of the catheter is inflated. The inflation compresses the plaque against the vessel wall, widening the lumen and restoring better blood flow. After the vessel is dilated, the balloon is deflated and removed along with the catheter.

Balloon dilatation is often performed in conjunction with the placement of a stent, a small mesh tube that acts as a scaffold to keep the artery open. This combined procedure is known as balloon angioplasty with stenting. While effective in many cases, potential risks include bleeding at the insertion site, blood clot formation, and damage to the blood vessel. The success rate is generally high, and it is a common treatment option for various vascular conditions, including coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, and venous stenosis.