PT(C)A
Percutaneous Transluminal (Coronary) Angioplasty. Opening, blocking out, of narrow vessel segment by means of balloon catheters. In patients with ischaemic heart disease, PTCA may be an alternative to bypass surgery. By positioning a specialised balloon in the narrow part of a blood vessel, inflating the balloon will widen the vessel lumen. In addition to the dilation a stent may be inserted to prevent the treated vessel from narrowing again. Atherosclerotic tissue reduces the elasticity of the vessel wall. Any damage to the vessel wall during dilatation will depend on the degree of atherosclerosis. Most common injuries are endothelial/intimal tears. Such injury to the vessel endothelium may initiate a thrombus formation. See also angioplasty
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