Stents
Most patients who have an angioplasty also have a metal tube, or stent placed within the artery to hold it open. These stents remain permanently in the artery after the procedure.
Coronary Artery Stent A tiny coil is expanded inside the blocked artery after balloon angioplasty to keep the artery open.
Bare Metal Stent A tiny metal coil which is placed in the artery and is incorporated by the body into the wall of the coronary artery over a period of a few months.
Drug Eluting/Coated Stent A drug eluting/coated stent is a bare metal stent covered with a medication that prevents renarrowing (or "restenosis") at the site of stent treatment, which can occur in up to 20% of patients with bare metal stents.
Carotid Stent Balloons and stents can also be used to open the carotid arteries, the main blood vessels to the brain, and thereby lessen the risk of stroke.
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