During angioplasty, a coronary stent that conforms to your artery vessel wall may be, permanently inserted at the site to prop the artery open, reduce the risk of re-narrowing in the same place and improve the success rate of angioplasty.
A stent is a tiny, expandable, mesh-like tube that acts as
a scaffold to permanently prop open arteries after angioplasty. The device is
an implant that will always remain in your artery.
The Stenting Procedure
The coronary stent is fitted over the angioplasty balloon catheter and positioned at the point of blockage.
When the balloon inflates, it expands the stent and presses it into the inside wall of the artery.
When the balloon deflates, the expanded stent remains on the artery wall.
Over time, cells on the inside of your artery will grow over the device and hold the implant in place.
Some stents are covered with a drug that elutes over time. These are called drug-eluting stents.
If you have questions regarding stents and reducing the risk of restenosis, discuss them with your physician and see if stenting is the right procedure for you.
Last update: 31.07.2005
