Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)
Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a medical procedure used to treat narrowed or blocked coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart. During PCI, a doctor inserts a thin tube, called a catheter, through a blood vessel, often in the wrist or groin, and guides it to the heart. A small balloon at the tip is inflated to widen the artery, and often a support mesh called a stent is placed to keep it open. This helps improve blood flow, relieve chest pain, and reduce the risk of heart attacks, allowing patients to feel better and improve their quality of life.
Additional Insights
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Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a medical procedure used to treat narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart. It is commonly known as angioplasty. During PCI, a thin tube called a catheter is inserted into a blood vessel, often in the groin or wrist, and guided to the heart. A small balloon at the tip of the catheter is inflated to widen the artery and improve blood flow. Sometimes, a stent—a tiny mesh tube—is placed to keep the artery open. This procedure helps relieve chest pain and reduces the risk of heart attacks.