US Medical Term · procedures
Angioplasty
Angioplastia
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Angioplasty |
| Spanish (Español) | Angioplastia |
| Chinese (中文) | 血管成形術 |
| Korean (한국어) | 혈관성형술 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Nong mạch máu |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Angioplasty |
| Portuguese (Português) | Angioplastia |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | การขยายหลอดเลือด |
| Japanese (日本語) | 血管形成術 |
What it means
Angioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure used to open narrowed or blocked arteries, most commonly coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart. A thin flexible tube called a catheter is threaded through a blood vessel, usually in the wrist or groin, to the blocked area. A small balloon at the tip is inflated to widen the artery, and a small mesh tube called a stent is often placed to keep it open. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia with sedation. Most patients go home within one to two days. You may need blood-thinning medications for a period after the procedure to prevent clotting.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
My doctor says I need an angioplasty to open a blocked artery in my heart.
Mi médico dice que necesito una angioplastia para abrir una arteria bloqueada en mi corazón.
Will a stent be placed during the angioplasty to keep the artery open?
¿Se colocará un stent durante la angioplastia para mantener la arteria abierta?
How soon can I return to normal activities after an angioplasty?
¿Cuándo puedo volver a mis actividades normales después de una angioplastia?
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026