Angioplasty

Angioplasty is the mechanical widening of a narrowed or totally-obstructed blood vessel. These obstructions are often caused by atherosclerosis.

The term "angioplasty" is a portmanteau of the words "angio" (from the Latin/Greek word meaning vessel) and "plasticos" (Greek: fit for moulding). Angioplasty has come to include all manner of vascular interventions typically performed in a minimally-invasive or "percutaneous" method.