Heart Attack Lecture


What is a Coronary Stent?

  • A stent is a small stainless tube with slots. It is mounted on a balloon catheter in a "crimped" or collapsed state.
  • When the balloon is inflated, the stent expands or opens up and pushes itself against the inner wall of the coronary artery. This holds the artery open when the balloon is deflated and removed.
  • The stent on the balloon catheter is delivered to the blockage in a similar manner to that described for balloon angioplasty.

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