The full form of PTCA is Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty.
Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) is a minimally invasive procedure used to open blocked or narrowed coronary arteries. These blockages, often caused by the buildup of plaque (atherosclerosis), restrict blood flow to the heart muscle. PTCA aims to restore adequate blood supply to the heart, thereby relieving chest pain (angina) and reducing the risk of heart attack. It is also sometimes referred to as Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI), although PCI encompasses a broader range of procedures.
In a PTCA procedure, a thin, flexible tube called a catheter is inserted into a blood vessel (usually in the groin or arm) and guided to the blocked coronary artery. A balloon at the tip of the catheter is then inflated to compress the plaque against the artery walls, widening the artery and improving blood flow. In many cases, a stent (a small, expandable mesh tube) is also placed in the artery to help keep it open after the balloon is deflated and removed.
Key aspects of PTCA include:
- Percutaneous: Meaning "through the skin," referring to the minimally invasive nature of the procedure, which involves a small incision.
- Transluminal: Meaning "across or through the lumen (the inside space) of the vessel."
- Coronary: Relating to the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart muscle.
- Angioplasty: Meaning "surgical repair of a blood vessel."
PTCA is a common and effective treatment for coronary artery disease. It is usually performed in a cardiac catheterization laboratory by a cardiologist. Recovery time is generally shorter compared to open-heart surgery.
