Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a group of procedures for treating some forms of heart disease. It can improve blood supply by widening narrowed arteries. A surgeon will use catheters and a small balloon to insert a stent. PCI is a minimally invasive technique that doctors use to remove blockages in arteries and widen arteries.

What is a percutaneous coronary intervention?

        PCI is a surgical procedure that widens narrowed arteries and improves blood supply. A doctor may perform the procedure using several different methods.

        The most commonTrusted Source method of PCI involves inflating a balloon in the narrowed portion of the artery. It may also involve using a small piece of mesh tubing called a stent to keep the artery open.

What conditions does a PCI treat?

        Doctors use PCI to treat heart conditions where one or more coronary arteries develop a narrowing or blockage. These conditions include:

    Coronary artery disease (CAD): CAD is a condition where a fatty substance called plaque builds up against the artery walls, causing them to narrow or harden.

    Acute coronary syndrome: Acute coronary syndrome is a group of conditions that cause blood flow to the heart to become suddenly interrupted. This includes heart attacks and unstable angina, but sometimes a doctor will treat these with medication or a different procedure.

    Angina: According to the American Heart Association (AHA)Trusted Source, angina refers to a type of chest pain due to a lack of blood flow to the heart. It is not a disease or condition but a symptom of another condition, generally CAD.

        Doctors may use PCI to treat people with new or unchanging symptoms. They may also use the procedure to treat individuals during a heart attack.

How do doctors perform PCIs?

        Doctors generally perform PCI in a cardiac catheterization laboratory.

        During the procedure, a healthcare professional inserts a small plastic tube into a blood vessel in the wrist or groin. Most more experienced doctorsTrusted Source will insert the tube through the wrist to reduce the risk of bleeding at the site.

        The doctor will then insert a smaller tube, known as a catheter, through this first tube and guide it to the heart. Live X-ray images allow them to guide the tube as they move it through the blood vessels to the affected artery.

        Once they place the catheter into the affected artery, they will inject a contrast dye into the artery. The contrast dye will help highlight the areas where the artery narrows or becomes blocked on the imaging. This allows them to use a tool to remove the blockage or open up the narrow part of the artery.

        After this, the doctor may insertTrusted Source another smaller catheter attached to a deflated balloon and position it in the affected part of the artery.

        Once in position, they will inflate the balloon to open the artery so that blood can reach the heart. If a person has a particularly tough blockage, the doctor may use a small drill to break up the plaque.

        Sometimes, they will also insert a small mesh tube known as a stent into the affected area of the artery. The stent will stay in place after the procedure to hold the artery open and help prevent or slow narrowing.