What procedure is commonly performed to alleviate blood flow obstruction in narrowed vessels?

Angioplasty is a procedure commonly used to relieve blood flow obstruction in narrowed vessels, particularly in cases of coronary artery disease and peripheral arterial disease. During angioplasty, a thin catheter with a deflated balloon at its tip is inserted into the affected blood vessel. Once in place at the site of the obstruction, the balloon is inflated, which expands the narrowed segment of the artery, thereby restoring adequate blood flow.

The use of angioplasty is particularly advantageous because it is less invasive than surgical options. It effectively addresses issues caused by atherosclerosis and can often be performed as an outpatient procedure. In some cases, angioplasty may be accompanied by the placement of a stent, which is a small mesh tube that helps keep the artery open after the procedure.

While bypass surgery is also aimed at alleviating blood flow obstruction, it involves a more invasive surgical approach where a healthy artery or vein is used to create a detour around the blockage. Stenting, while related, refers specifically to the placement of a stent to keep the artery open and can be part of the angioplasty procedure itself. Thrombolysis involves dissolving blood clots, and while it may be applicable in specific cases of acute arterial blockage, it does not directly address narrowed