Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty (PTA) is a medical procedure used to treat narrowed or blocked arteries, often caused by a condition called atherosclerosis. The term "percutaneous" refers to a method of accessing the artery through the skin, while "transluminal" means inside the lumen of the vessel, and "angioplasty" refers to the technique used to widen the narrowed or blocked artery.
During PTA, a thin, flexible tube called a catheter with a deflated balloon attached to its tip is inserted through a small incision or puncture in the skin and guided to the affected artery. Once in place, the balloon is inflated, which compresses the plaque or fatty deposits against the artery walls, resulting in their expansion and widening of the vessel. The pressure exerted by the inflated balloon helps to restore and improve blood flow in the affected artery.
The procedure may also involve the use of a stent, which is a tiny, mesh-like tube that is placed in the artery after the inflation of the balloon. The stent helps to ensure that the artery remains open, promotes better circulation, and may prevent future narrowing or blockages.
PTA is commonly used to treat blockages in the coronary arteries (coronary angioplasty), as well as in peripheral arteries such as those in the legs (peripheral angioplasty). It is a minimally invasive procedure, typically performed under local anesthesia, and has significantly reduced the need for more invasive surgical interventions, such as bypass surgery.
