What is Angioplasty?
'''Angioplasty''', also known as '''balloon angioplasty''' and '''percutaneous transluminal angioplasty''' ('''PTA'''), is heart surgery that can help widen narrowed or blocked [[arteries]] or [[veins]]. It is done to help treat arterial [[atherosclerosis]].<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Primary Patency With Stenting Versus Balloon Angioplasty for Arteriovenous Graft Failure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis|journal = The Journal of Invasive Cardiology|volume = 31|issue = 12|pages = E356–E361|last1=K|first1=Marmagkiolis|last2=C|first2=Iliescu|date=December 2019|language=en|pmid=31786526|last3=Mmr|first3=Edupuganti|last4=M|first4=Saad|last5=Kd|first5=Boudoulas|last6=A|first6=Gupta|last7=N|first7=Lontos|last8=M|first8=Cilingiroglu}}</ref> It is done with a balloon that is inserted into the blocked artery or vein which is then blown up to open up the blood vessel. ==References== {{reflist}} {{med-stub}} [[Category:Medical procedures]]