What is percutaneous coronary intervention?
Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a non-surgical procedure used to treat narrowing (stenosis) of the coronary arteries of the heart found in coronary artery disease. It is a minimally invasive procedure conducted to open the blocked arteries. The procedure involves the use of a catheter, inserted through a small incision in the groin or arm, to widen the blocked artery. The catheter is guided to the blocked artery and a balloon is inserted at the end of the catheter which is then inflated to widen the blocked artery. A stent may also be placed to keep the artery open.