Two surgeons at the hospital have expertise in angioplasty

At the moment its patients who need coronary angioplasty are sent to Papworth Hospital in Cambridge.

The proposal being considered by the board on Wednesday is to develop a service at a cost of around �500,000 over the next five years.

Two consultant cardiologists at NNUH have expertise in angioplasty.

A hospital spokesman said the proposal to the board has the support of the hospital's cardiology team, Papworth Hospital, and Norfolk's Primary Care Trusts.

As a consultant cardiologist I know how much such a service will benefit our patients locally Dr Iain Brooksby

The hospital already carries out 2,000 coronary angiograms a year in which a dye is injected into the coronary artery which shows up on a special x-ray and reveals whether surgery is needed for blood vessels which are narrow, irregular or blocked.

In coronary angioplasty arteries to the heart are widened by inserting a catheter into a blood vessel in the groin or arm. Once in place, a tiny balloon is passed through the centre of it and gently inflated to widen the artery.

Around 40 per cent of patients undergoing angiograms will need an angioplasty and currently patients needing the procedure will wait up to seven days at NNUH before transfer to Papworth.

The spokesman said, if approved, it could take six to nine months to introduce the procedure.

Medical director Dr Iain Brooksby said: "As a consultant cardiologist I know how much such a service will benefit our patients locally.

"In addition it will be progress for our staff who can make full use of their skills, and it will allow medical students from the UEA to learn best practice in this specialty.

"There is work still to be done and the board is being asked to support the business case in principle."