A flexible catheter will be inserted into a vessel of the arm, neck, or groin and advanced to the heart to dilate a narrowed or occluded artery.

A heparin bolus is administered and followed with a continuous infusion to help keep the blood thinner.

Pentoxifylline can be administered to help the platelets from sticking together and occluding the vessels.

A small catheter with a balloon on the end is threaded into a vessel in the groin and advanced to the heart where the balloon will be inflated, and the narrowed valve will be dilated.