Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) - stents
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) (also known as
angioplasty or stenting) uses the same technique as angiography and is sometimes carried
out at the same time. It is a treatment used to overcome narrowing
of the heart arteries.
A fine wire is inserted down the narrow artery and a balloon is
inflated in the narrowing. A metal stent (scaffold) is then
inserted to keep the artery open. This procedure is commonly used
for the emergency treatment of a heart attack.
Useful information
http://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/treatment/coronary-angioplasty-and-stent.aspx