Angioplasty and Stenting

Dr. Wilkenfeld and staff member at the computer

Balloon Angioplasty

When your heart’s arteries become blocked or narrowed from cholesterol or plaque, angioplasty can help. During this minor procedure, we insert a thin tube (catheter) into a blood vessel in your arm, groin, or neck and extend it to your heart (as in a routine cardiac catheterization). Then, we inflate a very small balloon in the artery in order to open it and restore blood flow.

Laser Angioplasty

This is a similar procedure to a balloon angioplasty, but instead of using a balloon to open the artery, we use a laser to break down any blockage we find.

Coronary Artery Stent Placement

During this procedure, we place a small, metal mesh tube (a stent) inside your coronary artery. Because a stent prevents the artery from closing again, the procedure is often done immediately following an angioplasty.