The procedure that involves inflating a balloon in a vessel to flatten plaque against the vessel wall is known as what?

The correct answer is angioplasty, which refers specifically to the procedure that involves inflating a balloon in a blood vessel to compress plaque against the vessel wall. This procedure is commonly employed to restore proper blood flow in cases of vascular obstruction due to atherosclerosis. During the process, a catheter with a deflated balloon at its tip is inserted into the affected blood vessel. Once positioned at the site of the blockage, the balloon is inflated, which effectively flattens the plaque and widens the vessel.

Angioplasty is often used in conjunction with other procedures, particularly stenting, where a small mesh tube is placed to keep the artery open after the balloon is deflated. This intervention is crucial in treating conditions such as coronary artery disease.

By contrast, bypass involves creating an alternative pathway for blood flow when an artery is blocked, rather than directly addressing the blockage itself. Thrombectomy refers to the removal of a blood clot from a vessel, which is a different type of procedure aimed at clearing a clot rather than flattening plaque. Stenting involves placing a stent after an angioplasty to keep the vessel open, but is not the act of inflating a balloon to compress plaque. Thus, angioplasty is the most precise term for