Category
Interventional Cardiology Endovascular
Typical Use
Dilate stenotic vessels and prepare lesions for stent placement.
Description
A catheter with an inflatable balloon near its tip that is positioned across a vascular stenosis and inflated to compress atherosclerotic plaque, restore luminal diameter, and improve blood flow, commonly used in coronary, peripheral, and renal interventions. Balloon selection includes diameter and length matched to vessel size and lesion characteristics, and inflation pressures and duration are controlled to achieve optimal luminal gain while minimizing vessel injury. Balloon angioplasty may be followed by stent deployment for durable results, and adjunctive imaging such as intravascular ultrasound can guide sizing and assess outcomes. Postprocedure antiplatelet therapy and access site care are important to reduce thrombosis and bleeding complications.