Page "Restenosis" Paragraph 20

Angioplasty also called Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty ( PTCA ) is commonly used to treat blockages of the coronary arteries, or peripheral arteries such as the limbs.

The balloon inserted into the narrowing ‘ smashes ’ the cholesterol plaques ( atherosclerosis ) against the artery walls, thus widening the size of the lumen and increasing blood flow.

However the action does damage to the artery walls, and it responds by using physiological mechanisms to repair the damage.

( See physiology below )