Coronary balloon angioplasty is an invasive method of opening blocked arteries that might impede flow to the heart. This impedance to the blood flow possibly result in a heart attack or death. It is more formally known as percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA): percutaneous means "through the skin," transluminal means "inside the blood vessel," coronary means "relating to the heart," and angioplasty means "blood vessel repair.”

The procedure involves creating space in the blocked artery by inserting and inflating a tiny balloon, which compresses some of the blocking plaque against the arterial wall. When the balloon is deflated and removed, the plaque still remains compressed, clearing space in the artery and improving blood flow. After balloon dilatation a stent is deployed in the artery at the site of the compressed block. The stent acts as ”scaffolding” and prevents artery from collapsing.