What are coronary artery stents?
A stent is a device made of surgical stainless steel that is placed inside an artery to prop it open and allow blood to flow through the blood vessel. Coronary artery stents are sometimes used to improve the result of coronary artery balloon angioplasty (PTCA). Occasionally, the coronary artery closes suddenly after being opened by angioplasty. Coronary artery stents may then be used to keep the blood vessel open. Other times, the opened coronary artery will close gradually due to elastic recoil, much as a stocking tends to return to its former size and shape after you take it off. Stents prevent this from happening. How are coronary stents inserted? You will receive medicine in a vein to make you sleepy and take pain away. You will also receive a shot to numb the area where a tube (catheter) is inserted. The stent comes tightly wrapped around a deflated balloon at the tip of the catheter, which is inserted into an artery in your groin. The doctor then guides the catheter through your
