Figure. Percutaneous coronary interventions are performed to open narrowed or blocked coronary arteries. A catheter is inserted under local anesthetic into the femoral artery or into the radial or brachial artery and is then steered through the central arteries to the heart. A tiny balloon-tipped catheter is moved up to the point of severe narrowing and the balloon inflated to open up the artery. A stent, often used to keep the unclogged artery open, is mounted on the balloon-tipped catheter and is put in place by inflation of the balloon. [Reproduced from CMAJ 2002;166(1):51-61.] Photo by: Christine Kenney