Atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, involves a buildup of "plaque" that decreases a vessel's elasticity and narrows the artery, making it more difficult for blood to flow through it. Although atherosclerosis commonly develops in the arteries of the heart, it can strike any vessel, such as those feeding the brain, legs, or the kidneys -- reducing the flow of vital oxygen-rich blood to these organs. Balloon angioplasty (also called "percutaneous transluminal angioplasty") is a technique commonly employed to increase the size of the opening within the artery.

During this procedure (which is performed under local anesthesia), the physician threads a narrow balloon-tipped catheter into the patient's femoral artery (in the groin) using x-ray guidance, and advances it to the site of obstruction in the affected artery. Once the balloon is in place, the doctor inflates and deflates it -- several times if necessary -- to eliminate the arterial obstruction. The deflated balloon is then removed. The patient may need to stay one day in the hospital, but in some cases the procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis.

Interventional Radiology

NYU Langone Medical Center
550 First Avenue
New York, NY 10016

To contact us, please call 212-263-5898, or fax us at 212-263-7914

Timothy Clark, M.D.
Section Chief & Fellowship Program Director / Associate Professor, Department of Radiology

Hearns Charles, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Departments of Radiology and House Staff

Richard Lefleur, M.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Radiology

Hillel Bryk, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology

Theresa Aquino, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology

Sandor Kovacs, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology