Which procedure is performed to open blocked coronary arteries with a balloon?

Angioplasty is the procedure specifically designed to open blocked coronary arteries by using a balloon. During an angioplasty, a thin tube called a catheter is inserted into a blood vessel, often in the groin or wrist, and carefully guided to the site of the blockage in the coronary artery. At the site of obstruction, a small balloon attached to the catheter is inflated. This inflation compresses the plaque against the artery walls, widening the artery and restoring blood flow to the heart.

While other procedures like coronary artery bypass grafting and stent placement could be related to the treatment of coronary artery disease, angioplasty uniquely focuses on directly using a balloon to alleviate blockages within the arteries themselves. A cardiac pacemaker insertion does not involve coronary arteries at all, as it’s designed to regulate heart rhythms rather than address blockages. Thus, angioplasty stands out as the right choice for this specific context.