Every year, about 900,000 people receive coronary stents. The stents are implanted during a procedure called angioplasty. Angioplasty is performed when coronary arteries become narrowed or blocked, which makes it difficult for the heart to receive the oxygen-rich blood that it needs. This condition is known as atherosclerosis, or "hardening of the arteries." During the angioplasty procedure, a thin tube called a catheter is placed through the groin or arm and passed through an artery to the site of the blockage. There is a small balloon located on the tip of the catheter which is then slowly inflated to open the blockage.

The Goals of Angioplasty and Stenting

After opening the blockage with a balloon catheter, a stent may be placed to help keep the blockage open. The stent is delivered on a balloon catheter to the site of the blockage. Once in place, the balloon on the tip of the catheter is inflated to expand the stent to the size of the vessel. Once expanded, the balloon catheter is removed and the stent remains in the vessel to hold the artery open.

Angioplasty is used to:

• Restore blood flow to the affected area of the heart by treating narrowed coronary arteries
• Provide prompt relief of chest pain and/or shortness of breath
• Potentially lower the risk of heart attack and prolong life, compared with no medical treatment

Click the link below to see an animation showing your stent implant procedure.

• Stent Implantation Animation

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