percSEs

percSEs is a term that refers to percutaneous coronary interventions, a non-surgical procedure used to treat narrowed or blocked coronary arteries. These arteries supply blood to the heart muscle. The blockage or narrowing is typically caused by atherosclerosis, a buildup of plaque within the artery walls.

The procedure involves threading a thin, flexible tube called a catheter through a blood vessel, usually in the arm or groin, and guiding it to the affected coronary artery. Once the catheter is in place, a special wire is advanced through the catheter to the blockage. A small balloon is then inflated at the site of the blockage, compressing the plaque against the artery wall and widening the artery.

In many cases, a small, expandable mesh tube called a stent is also deployed at the time of the balloon angioplasty. The stent acts as a scaffold to keep the artery open and prevent it from narrowing again. Stents can be bare-metal or coated with medication (drug-eluting stents) to further reduce the risk of re-narrowing.

percSEs are commonly performed to relieve symptoms of angina (chest pain), improve blood flow to the heart muscle, and as a life-saving treatment during a heart attack. The success rates are generally high, but potential risks include bleeding, infection, damage to the artery, and restenosis (re-narrowing of the artery). Recovery time varies depending on the individual and the complexity of the procedure.