Sometimes, the blood vessels associated with the heart become narrow and constricted due to a condition called coronary artery disease. Fortunately, a simple procedure known as coronary angioplasty (AN-gee-oh-plass-tee) may be used both to confirm and to treat this diagnosis. First, to observe and analyze the inner appearance of the coronary arteries, a long, thin, hollow tube called a catheter (CATH-uh-ter) may be carefully inserted into an arm or groin vein, and then gently pushed upwards through the vessel to reach the heart. Next, a dye may be injected up through the catheter and into the coronary arteries. This allows the outline of the arteries to be visualized on a video screen, while real-time moving pictures can be seen of the heart chambers and vessels at work. If the artery walls appear narrow or irregular, coronary artery disease is usually the cause. For such cases, the tip of the catheter is fitted with a special, tiny balloon that can be gently expanded within the diseased arteries. This procedure, called percutaneous transluminal (per-kew-TAY-nee-us tranz-LOO-min-ahl) coronary angioplasty or PTCA (P-T-C-A) generally relieves the blockage by flattening the fatty deposits along the arterial lining, restoring the vessel to a more normal circumference. PTCA usually treats the condition successfully but often temporarily. Sometimes, slight side effects occur during or following a coronary angiography. These might include a mild, warm sensation in the head and face during dye injection, a moderate increase in heart rate, and a slight increase in blood pressure. Less common but uncomfortable reactions might include nausea, coughing, an allergic reaction, abnormal heart rhythms, and other heartbeat problems caused by the catheter touching the heart wall. However, the procedure is generally considered safe and useful for all ages, from infants and children through older adults.
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