Final answer:
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI), commonly known as angioplasty, is the procedure that uses a balloon to treat asymptomatic ischemia or angina by widening narrowed coronary arteries and often involves the placement of a stent.
Step-by-step explanation:
The medical procedure used to treat patients with asymptomatic ischemia or angina that involves a balloon is Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI).Angioplasty is a common type of PCI in which a catheter with a deflated balloon is inserted into the narrowed part of the artery. Once in place, the balloon is inflated to widen the artery and improve blood flow.
To keep the artery open, a small mesh tube called a stent is often placed during the procedure. This intervention is critical for restoring blood flow in patients with blocked coronary arteries due to plaque buildup. The procedure can rapidly relieve symptoms such as chest pain (angina) and help prevent heart attacks. Though alternatives like Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) surgery exist, PCI is less invasive and has a shorter recovery time, making it a preferable choice in many cases.