What process involves mechanically dilating a blood vessel?

The process that involves mechanically dilating a blood vessel is angioplasty. This procedure is specifically designed to enlarge narrowed or blocked arteries, particularly in the context of coronary arteries within the heart. During angioplasty, a small balloon is inserted and expanded at the site of the blockage, which compresses the fatty deposits against the vessel walls and restores proper blood flow.

While percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) encompasses a range of procedures aimed at treating narrowed coronary arteries, angioplasty is the specific technique utilized within this broader context. Therefore, while PCI is correct in a general sense, angioplasty more accurately defines the mechanical dilation process pointed out in the question.

Stenting typically follows angioplasty, where a small mesh tube is placed in the artery to help keep it open after the dilation has occurred. Coronary artery bypass surgery, on the other hand, is a more invasive procedure that reroutes blood flow around a blocked artery using a graft.