Final answer:
Angioplasty is a procedure where a balloon is used to widen a partially blocked blood vessel, increasing blood flow. It is an effective treatment that has been used for over 40 years.
Step-by-step explanation:
Angioplasty is a procedure where an occlusion in a blood vessel is mechanically widened using a balloon. A specialized catheter is inserted into a superficial vessel and directed to the site of the occlusion. The balloon is then inflated to compress the plaque material and open the vessel, increasing blood flow.
A small mesh tube called a stent is often inserted to prevent subsequent collapse of the vessel. Angioplasty has been a routine procedure in cardiology for over 40 years and is an effective treatment for partially blocked arteries.