Artery Unclogging Procedures: Angioplasty & Bypass Surgery Explained

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), also known as coronary angioplasty, is a nonsurgical procedure that uses a balloon to widen a narrowed or blocked coronary artery. A stent, a small mesh tube, may be inserted to help keep the artery open.

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), also known as heart bypass surgery, is a surgical procedure that creates a new pathway for blood to flow around a blocked coronary artery. This is done by grafting a healthy blood vessel from another part of the body, such as the leg or chest, to the coronary artery beyond the blockage.

PCI and CABG are both effective treatments for coronary artery disease, but the best option for a particular patient depends on the severity of the disease and the patient's overall health.