Coronary Artery Angioplasty (PCI, Heart Stent Surgery)

Visit for FREE videos, illustrations and patient handouts for healthcare providers. This 3D heart animation shows a coronary artery angioplasty surgery, also called a percutaneous coronary intervention, or PCI, to correct a blocked artery in the heart. It begins by showing the buildup of plaque in an artery wall of the heart, blocking the flow of blood. Afterwards, the patient lies on a testing table while contrast dye is injected into the arteries of the heart, showing the location of the blockage. A guide wire is then moved through the lumen of the blood vessel, followed by a balloon and stent mechanism. The balloon inflates, putting the metal stent in place, so that the lumen of the artery is open and the red blood cells can flow freely. ANCE00178 For information on Atherosclerosis, visit