Final answer:
Angioplasty is an emergency procedure that uses a balloon-tipped catheter to dilate a blocked coronary artery, often with a stent inserted to maintain vessel patency.
Step-by-step explanation:
The emergency operation commonly performed to dilate a blocked coronary artery is known as angioplasty. During this procedure, a catheter with a balloon-like tip is inserted into the narrowed part of the vessel. This balloon is then inflated to compress the plaque against the artery walls and widen the artery to improve blood flow. Often, a small mesh tube called a stent is also inserted to prevent the vessel from collapsing after the procedure. This treatment is usually accompanied by lifestyle changes and medication to ensure long-term health benefits.