MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia:Coronary artery balloon angioplasty

Skip navigation

Medical Encyclopedia

Coronary artery balloon angioplasty - series: Procedure, part 2

Coronary artery balloon angioplasty - seriesIllustrations:

Procedure, part 2

Next, a diagnostic catheter, which is a long narrow tube, is advanced through the introducer over a .035"guidewire, into the blood vessel. This catheter is then guided to the aorta and the guidewire is removed. Once the catheter is placed in the opening or ostium of one of the coronary arteries, the doctor injects dye and takes a series of X-rays (film of the images).

Update Date: 3/30/2007

Updated by: Glenn Gandelman, MD, MPH, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, and Alan Berger, MD, Assistant Professor, Divisions of Cardiology and Epidemiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2008, A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.