Does a stent prevent heart attacks?
Coronary stents are small, mesh tubes that can be placed in a coronary artery to open a blockage and provide better blood flow to the heart. The procedure to place these stents is called by several names, including coronary angioplasty and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). In coronary angioplasty, a special catheter containing a small balloon and stent is inserted into a blood vessel in the arm or groin and is advanced through blood vessels and into the heart. When the catheter reaches the blockage in the coronary artery, the physician inflates the balloon on the tip of the catheter, which causes the stent to expand and squeeze the blockage against the walls of the coronary artery. This action increases the diameter of the artery and allows for better blood flow. Once the blockage has been completely squeezed against the walls of the blood vessel, the physician will remove the catheter and balloon. The stent remains permanently in the coronary artery. In general, the best way t
