Angioplasty is a medical procedure to restore blood flow through a narrowed or blocked artery, usually by inflating a tiny balloon at the site. It often involves a stent to keep the artery open. The term combines Greek roots for vessel and formation, reflecting its vascular focus and corrective aim. It is a technical word used in clinical discussions and patient education.
US & AU accents are Premium
Unlock all accent variations
"The patient underwent angioplasty to treat a partial blockage in the coronary artery."
"During the procedure, a balloon catheter was guided to the blockage, where it was inflated briefly."
"A drug-eluting stent may be placed after angioplasty to reduce restenosis."
"The cardiology team explained the risks and benefits of angioplasty before scheduling the procedure."
Angioplasty derives from the Greek angi-, meaning vessel, and -plasty, meaning molding, forming, or shaping. The prefix angi- comes from angeion, a vessel or conduit, and the suffix -plasty from plastos, molded or formed. The term first appeared in the mid-20th century as interventional cardiology advanced; angioplasty itself gained traction with the development of catheter-based techniques that could widen narrowed arteries. Early reports describe percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) pioneered in the 1970s by interventionalists seeking less invasive revascularization options than open surgery. The phrase evolved from “angi/o-” (vessel) and “-plasty” (surgical shaping) to describe a balloon-based method, later expanding to include stenting and adjunctive pharmacologic strategies. Over time, angioplasty became a family of procedures (balloon angioplasty, coronary angioplasty, carotid angioplasty) used across vascular beds. The first well-documented successful angioplasty in humans occurred in the 1970s, marking a shift in treating occlusive vascular disease with minimally invasive techniques rather than bypass operations.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "angioplasty" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "angioplasty" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "angioplasty" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "angioplasty"
-ogy sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
Say AN-jee-uh-PLAS-tee with the primary stress on the third syllable: /ˌæn.dʒi.əˈplæs.ti/ (US) or /ˌæn.dʒi.əˈplæs.ti/ (UK/AU). Start with a light, short /æ/ in the first syllable, glide into /dʒ/ as in
Common errors: misplacing stress on the second or earlier syllable; mispronouncing /dʒ/ as /ʒ/ or /j/; dropping the -ti ending or making it /tiː/. Correction: emphasize the third syllable with /ˈplæs/ and end with a crisp /ti/; ensure the /dʒ/ blends from the preceding vowel rather than a hard /j/ sound.
US tends to reduce the second syllable vowels slightly and maintain a clear /ˌæn.dʒi.əˈplæs.ti/. UK and AU share the same rhythm but may be less rhotic and more clipped in rapid speech; Australians may reduce the /æ/ in initial syllable slightly and keep a short final /i/ sound. All retain the /dʒ/ as in “geography.”
Two main hurdles: the /dʒ/ consonant cluster with a multisyllabic rhythm and the unstressed but audible middle syllable /iə/ that can collapse to /ɪə/ or /ɪə/ in rapid speech; plus the final -ty producing /ti/ that can glide. Practice separating the syllables and keeping consistent stress on the third syllable.
Are there silent letters in angioplasty? No; each syllable carries a sound: /ˌæn.dʒi.əˈplæs.ti/. The challenge is balancing the Schwa in the middle with a crisp final /ti/; ensure you articulate /æ/ at the start and don’t reduce the third syllable too much in fast speech.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "angioplasty"!
a) US: rhotic with clear /r/ presence in connected speech; stress on third syllable; moderate vowel reduction in the middle. b) UK: non-rhotic tendencies; slower, crisper consonant release; middle vowel a bit tenser. c) AU: similar to US with more clipped vowels; final /ti/ shorter; /dʒ/ pronounced as in “judge”.
No related words found
