Definition of Brachytherapy, coronary artery

Brachytherapy, coronary artery: Local radiation treatment within an artery to the heart. Coronary artery brachytherapy has been used to reduce the recurrence of blockage (obstruction) of a coronary artery after successful treatment of a blockage of a stent. A stent is a tubular structure that is implanted inside of a coronary artery to keep it open, thereby preventing a heart attack.

The radiation from coronary artery brachytherapy is believed to prevent cells from reproducing to cause blockage of the blood vessel (coronary artery).

Recurrent blockage after placement of a coronary artery stent has been reported to occur in 20 to 30 percent of patients.