Coronary angioplasty is a procedure that uses a thin tube called a catheter to open a narrowed or blocked coronary artery. Coronary arteries are the blood vessels that bring oxygen to the heart muscle.

During the angioplasty procedure, a thin flexible tube (catheter) is inserted through an artery in the groin or wrist and is carefully guided into a coronary artery. After the tube reaches the narrowed or blocked part of the artery, a small balloon at the end of the tube is inflated. The balloon may remain inflated for a short time. The pressure from the inflated balloon presses fat and calcium deposits (plaque) against the wall of the artery to improve blood flow.