Final answer:
Angioplasty is a medical procedure employing a catheter with a balloon to compress arterial plaque and widen a blocked vessel, often followed by the insertion of a stent. In more severe cases or when angioplasty cannot be performed, coronary bypass surgery is used to reroute the blood flow around the blockage.
Step-by-step explanation:
Angioplasty is a medical procedure designed to improve blood flow through arteries that have become narrowed or blocked due to the buildup of plaque. During the procedure, a thin tube called a catheter with a balloon at its tip is inserted into a superficial vessel, typically in the leg, and advanced to the site of blockage. The balloon is then inflated, which compresses the plaque against the artery wall, widening the occlusion to increase blood flow. Following this, a stent, which is a small mesh tube, is often inserted to support the artery walls and prevent them from collapsing post-procedure.
In cases where angioplasty is insufficient, coronary bypass surgery might be performed, using a section of vein or artery from elsewhere in the body to reroute blood flow around the blocked area. Lifestyle changes and medications are also important components of treatment for atherosclerosis, the underlying condition leading to blocked arteries.