Coronary stent


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Coronary stent


Illustration of inserting a coronary stent

A stent is a small, coiled wire-mesh tube. During a procedure called angioplasty, the stent is inserted into a blood vessel and expanded using a small balloon. A stent is used to open a narrowed or clotted blood vessel, most often an artery in the heart.

Credits


Primary Medical Reviewer Anne C. Poinier, MD

- Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Karin M. Lindholm, DO

- Neurology
Last Updated May 23, 2007

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