Stents are a formidable tool, as an adjunct to balloon angioplasty, in keeping damaged arteries open with good blood flow. A stent is a tiny metal scaffolding implant placed in an artery or vein where the walls have been weakened by disease or injury. The stent can be expanded against the inner wall where there is a build-up of fatty substances that reduce the flow of blood. This build-up is known as atherosclerosis. If it is left untreated, total blockage can occur resulting in a heart attack. Stent procedure uses a wire mesh tube (a stent) to prop open an artery that has recently been cleared using angioplasty. The stent is collapsed to a small diameter, placed over an angioplasty balloon catheter and moved into the area of the blockage. When the balloon is inflated, the stent expands, locks in place and forms a rigid support to hold the artery open. The stent remains in the artery permanently, holds it open, improves blood flow to the heart muscle and relieves symptoms (often chest pain).

When are stents used?

The stent procedure is fairly common, sometimes used as an alternative to coronary artery bypass surgery. A stent may be used as an alternative or in combination with angioplasty. Certain features of the artery blockage make it suitable for using a stent, such as the size of the artery and location of the blockage.

Stent Implantation Step-by-Step

• The stent, which is mounted on a balloon catheter, is inserted into the artery and directed to the site of the previous obstruction.
• When the balloon and stent are precisely in place, the balloon is inflated and the stent expands. One or more stents may be used in the vessel to span the length of the lesion.
• The balloon catheter is deflated and removed, along with the guidewire and guiding catheter.
• The stent will remain in place permanently, keeping the artery open.