Aneurysms, a bulging, weakened area in the heart or aorta, can sometimes be repaired by open heart surgery. Heart muscle aneurysm. These are usually caused by heart attacks. They may prevent proper pumping of the heart, and may cause shortness of breath, pain, or an irregular heartbeat. A heart muscle aneurysm is repaired by either […]
Angioplasty
Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA, or balloon angioplasty) is performed in the cardiac cath lab. PTCA brings blood flow to a healthy level by opening arteries closed by fatty plaque. This occurs in the following steps: An expandable balloon catheter is placed into a narrow coronary artery. The balloon is inflated, compressing plaque against the […]