Which procedure is performed through the femoral or radial artery to open a blocked vessel?

• A. Coronary bypass surgery
• B. Carotid endarterectomy
• C. Thrombectomy
• D. Angioplasty

Answer: (D)

Opening a narrowed or blocked vessel by threading a catheter through a peripheral artery is angioplasty. In this procedure, a catheter with a small balloon is guided—usually from the femoral or radial artery—to the site of the blockage. The balloon is inflated to push the plaque or plaque-like material against the vessel wall, widening the lumen and restoring blood flow. Often a stent is placed to keep the artery open after the balloon is released. This approach is less invasive than open-heart surgery and can be used for coronary arteries to relieve ischemia.

The other options involve more invasive or different goals. Coronary bypass surgery creates new routes for blood flow using grafts and requires opening the chest. Carotid endarterectomy surgically removes plaque in the neck. Thrombectomy focuses on removing a clot, which can be done via catheters too, but the classic image of opening a narrowed vessel with a balloon catheter points to angioplasty.