a technique of interventional radiology in which a segment of coronary artery narrowed by atheroma is stretched by the inflation of a balloon introduced into it by means of cardiac catheterization under X-ray screening (see angioplasty). The site of the obstruction is identified by prior coronary angiography. Not all narrowed segments can be improved by angioplasty, but results may be improved by placement of metallic stent. See also coronary bypass graft.
Medical dictionary. 2011.