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A balloon catheter is a thin flexible tube with an inflatable balloon near its tip. The catheter can be guided into a blood vessel, duct, airway, urinary tract, or other body passage depending on its design. Once positioned, the balloon is inflated to widen, block, anchor, or support the area. Balloon catheters are used in many specialties and should be handled by trained clinicians.
read more about balloon catheter ...A balloon catheter is used for different purposes depending on the procedure. In angioplasty, the balloon widens a narrowed artery and may help expand a stent. In urinary care, a Foley catheter uses a small balloon to hold the catheter inside the bladder. Balloon catheters can also be used for dilation, tamponade, stone extraction, sinus procedures, and other controlled medical tasks.
The catheter is advanced to the target area while the balloon remains deflated. Once the tip is in position, the balloon is inflated with fluid or air according to the device instructions. Inflation applies pressure to tissue, holds the catheter in place, or temporarily blocks flow. The balloon is deflated before the catheter is removed or repositioned unless the device is designed to stay in place.
Balloon catheter types include angioplasty balloons, Foley catheters, dilation balloons, occlusion balloons, valvuloplasty balloons, and extraction balloons. Some are high-pressure balloons used to open tight narrowing. Others are low-pressure or compliant balloons designed to conform to tissue. The type selected depends on the anatomy, pressure needed, and procedure goal.
Risks vary by location and use. Possible problems include bleeding, tissue injury, vessel rupture, perforation, infection, balloon rupture, blockage, pain, or incorrect placement. Overinflation or using the wrong balloon size can cause injury. Patients should report severe pain, bleeding, fever, swelling, trouble urinating, chest symptoms, or sudden changes after a balloon catheter procedure.
Some are temporary and removed after the procedure, while others, such as Foley catheters, may stay in place for a period of time.
Yes. A Foley catheter has a small balloon that helps keep the catheter positioned inside the bladder.
Yes. In angioplasty, a balloon catheter can widen a narrowed artery and may be used with a stent.
Yes, balloon rupture can happen, though devices are designed for specific pressure limits. Clinicians follow inflation guidelines to reduce risk.
Angioplasty and Vascular Stenting. RadiologyInfo.org. https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info/angioplasty. Date Accessed June 18, 2026.
Foley Catheter: Purpose, Insertion & Care. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/foley-catheter. Date Accessed June 18, 2026.
Urinary Catheter: Purpose, Types, Placement & Care. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/catheter. Date Accessed June 18, 2026.
21 CFR 870.5100: Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) Catheter. eCFR. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-H/part-870/subpart-F/section-870.5100. Date Accessed June 18, 2026.
21 CFR 876.5130: Urological catheter and accessories. eCFR. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-H/part-876/subpart-F/section-876.5130. Date Accessed June 18, 2026.