angioplasty

Last reviewed 01/2018

Angioplasty is a technique used in the treatment of occlusive vascular disease where a balloon is inflated inside an artery to attempt to widen the pathological narrowing.

The two situations in which it is most appropriate include the coronary arteries and the lower limbs.

Complications include:

  • rupture
  • embolism
  • damage at the entry site for the angioplasty

Angioplasty balloons are commonly used in the transjugular intrahepatic portal systemic shunt procedure (TIPSS).