UMHS Related Sites:
Cardiac Catheterization and Intervention Services
University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center
Coronary Stents
A stent is a wire mesh tube used to prop open a coronary artery. A stent is usually used in conjunction with a coronary balloon angioplasty to help reduce the possibility of artery renarrowing that can occur after the angioplasty.
Stents are mounted on a balloon catheter. The catheter is advanced through the blocked area. When the balloon is inflated, the stent expands to keep the artery open and improve the blood flow to the heart muscle. The balloon is then deflated and removed.
The results of stenting are very positive. However, a stented artery can reclose. This is known as restenosis. To help prevent this problem, a cardiologist may use drug-eluting stents that slowly release drugs that help keep the blood vessel from reclosing.
Stents - Different Designs
a - coil |
b - slotted tube |
c-corrugated ring |
coronary stenting s=stent struts (scaffolding system anchor stents) |
The imagery shown here has been obtained through various different research sources and is not the property of U-M.
