Term: Angioplasty

Glossary Definition

Last Updated: 2009-10-20

Definition:

Also called Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA), angioplasty is a procedure using a balloon-tipped catheter to enlarge a narrowing in a coronary artery. If necessary, a stent is inserted permanently into the artery to help hold it open so that blood can flow through it more easily. See the term Percutaneous Coronary Interventions (PCI) for related ICD-9-CM and CCI procedure/intervention codes.

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