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Coronary Stenting
In most cases, a stent is permanently placed at the site of the narrowing
or blockage following a balloon angioplasty. A stent is a tiny stainless
steel mesh tube, a scaffold-like device, that is used to prop open the
artery at the site of the blockage. A collapsed stent is placed over a
balloon catheter and guided to the area of the narrowing or blockage
recently cleared by angioplasty.
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The balloon is inflated, expanding the stent, which locks into place. The
balloon is deflated and removed, leaving the stent permanently in place to
keep the artery open. The stent is used to help restore normal blood flow,
prevent the artery from collapsing, seal any tears in the artery and reduce
the possibility of the artery renarrowing (restenosis), which can occur after
an angioplasty.
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