Primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a medical procedure used to treat blocked coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart. During an emergency, typically after a heart attack, a cardiologist guides a thin tube (catheter) through blood vessels to the blockage site. A balloon at the catheter's tip is then inflated to widen the artery, often followed by placing a small mesh tube (stent) to keep it open. This helps restore blood flow to the heart quickly, improving outcomes and reducing damage. It's a critical intervention that can save lives and enhance heart function.