Percutaneous coronary intervention

A catheter-based procedure that restores blood flow through narrowed or blocked coronary arteries, usually by inflating a balloon and often by placing a stent.

Coronary angiography: An imaging procedure that uses contrast dye and X-rays to show blood flow through the coronary arteries. It identifies the location and severity of narrowing before or during intervention.
Acute coronary syndrome: A group of emergencies caused by a sudden reduction in blood flow to the heart muscle. Urgent intervention can restore flow during some acute coronary syndromes.
Coronary artery bypass surgery: An operation that routes blood around narrowed coronary arteries using grafted vessels. It can offer an alternative to PCI, particularly for complex or extensive coronary disease.
Restenosis: The recurrence of narrowing in a blood vessel after it has been treated. Tissue growth or other changes can narrow a treated coronary segment again.
Coronary circulation: The network of blood vessels that supplies oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle. PCI works by restoring flow within this blood supply.
Balloon angioplasty: A procedure that widens a narrowed artery by inflating a small balloon inside it. Balloon inflation compresses plaque and enlarges the artery during many interventions.
ST-elevation myocardial infarction: A heart attack marked by persistent ST-segment elevation on an electrocardiogram, usually from an acutely blocked coronary artery. Primary PCI is a preferred reperfusion treatment when it can be delivered promptly.
Coronary artery bypass graft: A blood vessel surgically connected to route blood around a blocked coronary artery. Bypass grafts achieve revascularization through a different route than catheter-based treatment.
Stent thrombosis: A blood clot that forms within a coronary stent and can abruptly obstruct blood flow. This uncommon complication can cause a heart attack and makes antiplatelet therapy essential.
Atherosclerosis: A disease in which plaques build up within artery walls, narrowing the vessel and sometimes triggering clot formation. Atherosclerotic plaque is the usual cause of coronary narrowing treated by PCI.

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