Final answer:
Entering a vein to place a catheter or medication is known as an intravenous or IV procedure, used for treatments like chemotherapy and fluid administration. Procedures like angioplasty involve catheter use to widen blocked vessels and may include stent insertion.
Step-by-step explanation:
Entering a vein to place a catheter or medication is known as an intravenous or IV procedure. This is a critical method in medicine for providing patients with vital treatments, such as chemotherapy drugs, directly into the bloodstream or for long-term administration of fluids. Venous catheters, however, can lead to complications such as bloodstream infections, with the World Health Organization reporting numerous cases annually which can be fatal.
Procedures like angioplasty also involve inserting a catheter, but for the purpose of mechanically widening an occluded blood vessel. A balloon-like tip is often used to compress plaque and open the vessel, followed by the insertion of a stent to maintain vessel patency. These interventions are crucial in treating conditions such as blocked coronary arteries and saving lives