What is the procedure termed when a "balloon is placed in the heart"?

The procedure referred to when a "balloon is placed in the heart" is angioplasty. This minimally invasive procedure involves the use of a balloon catheter, which is advanced to the site of a narrowed or blocked artery within the coronary arteries. Once in place, the balloon is inflated to widen the artery, allowing for improved blood flow to the heart muscle. This is particularly important for treating conditions like coronary artery disease, where plaque builds up and restricts blood flow.

During angioplasty, the inflation of the balloon compresses the plaque against the artery walls, restoring adequate blood flow. Often, this procedure is supplemented with stent placement to help keep the artery open after the balloon is deflated and removed. In contrast, other options such as bypass surgery involve creating new pathways for blood flow rather than directly addressing arterial blockages with a balloon. Coronary angiography is a diagnostic procedure that involves imaging the coronary arteries but does not involve the placement of a balloon. Thus, angioplasty is the specific term for the procedure that directly correlates with the placement of a balloon in the heart.