This procedure restores blood flow through arteries that are narrowed or blocked by plaque, a condition called coronary artery disease.

In this procedure, the doctor threads a thin tube through a blood vessel to the artery. The doctor then inflates a small balloon at the end of the tube to push the plaque outwards, which widens the artery and helps restore blood flow. The procedure can improve chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart and minimize damage from a heart attack.