Angioplasty is the mechanical widening of a narrowed or totally-obstructed blood vessel. These obstructions are often caused by atherosclerosis (gradual process, in which cholesterol and other fatty deposits build up on the artery walls). These barriers limit blood flow through the arteries to tissues and organs. Angioplasty and vascular stenting are commonly used to treat this condition. Angioplasty has come to include all manners of vascular interventions, typically performed in a minimally-invasive or "percutaneous" method.

Angioplasty with vascular stenting is just one way to treat narrowed or blocked arteries. Angioplasty procedure is performed by a vascular surgeon to improve blood flow in the body's arteries.

In the angioplasty procedure, the physician threads a balloon-tipped catheter - a thin, plastic tube- to the site of a narrow or blocked artery and then inflates the balloon to open the vessel. The balloon is then deflated and removed from the artery. Vascular stenting, which is often performed at the same time as an angioplasty, involves the placement of a small wire mesh tube called a stent in the newly opened artery. This may be necessary after some angioplasty procedures, if the artery is significantly narrowed or completely blocked. The stent is a permanent device that is left in the artery and may be needed to help the artery heal in an open position after the angioplasty.

Angioplasty and stenting may have to be repeated if the same artery becomes blocked again, a condition called restenosis.

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