Medical Procedures and Surgery

For some people with coronary artery disease, or CAD, providers may recommend a medical procedure or surgery to treat blocked arteries.

Percutaneous coronary intervention, commonly known as angioplasty, is a nonsurgical procedure that opens blocked or narrowed coronary arteries. During the procedure, a small mesh tube called a stent may be placed in the artery to help prevent blockages in the future.

Coronary artery bypass grafting is a type of surgery in which arteries or veins from other areas in the body are used to bypass, or go around, the narrowed coronary arteries.