Etymed
angioplasty
Definition
A minimally invasive procedure to widen narrowed or obstructed blood vessels, typically arteries, usually performed by inflating a balloon catheter at the site of the blockage.
Clinical context
A 62-year-old male with a history of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia presents to the emergency department with crushing substernal chest pain radiating to the left arm for 45 minutes. ECG shows ST-segment elevation in leads V1-V4. Troponin I is elevated. He is taken for emergent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with angioplasty and stent placement to the left anterior descending artery. The procedure restores TIMI-3 flow and resolves his ST elevations.
Mnemonic
ANGIO (vessel) + PLASTY (mold/repair) = molding a vessel back open. Think of a plaster mold reshaping a collapsed tube.
These morphemes also unlock…
- angi/o — vessel (from angeion, vessel of the body)
- -plasty — surgical repair; molding (from plassein, to mold)