Treatments for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

If a diagnostic Cardiac Catheterization reveals a blockage in an artery, either Angioplasty or Stenting may be performed. The Angioplasty and Stenting are done in the Cath Lab often right after the Cardiac Catheterization.

Balloon Angioplasty
When this procedure is done, a balloon tipped catheter is entered into the artery with a blockage. Once the balloon is in place it is inflated. This flattens the plaque against the artery walls. This enables the artery to be widened, improving blood flow. The balloon is then deflated and removed.

Stenting
A stent is a flexible tube made of wire mesh. The stent is placed onto a balloon catheter and the balloon is inflated to open the stent in the artery. The balloon is then deflated and the stent remains in placed to hold the artery open. Sometimes a drug-eluting stent is used. This special type of stent slowly releases medication over time. The medication reduces the amount of scar tissue that develops inside the artery. This helps to prevent restenosis (a narrowing of the artery at the same site).