Angioplasty + stent

Angioplasty, also known as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), is a minimally invasive procedure used to open narrowed or blocked coronary arteries. During angioplasty, a small balloon-tipped catheter is inserted into the blocked artery and inflated to widen the narrowed area, improving blood flow to the heart muscle. In some cases, a stent may also be placed during angioplasty to help keep the artery open.

When a stent is used in conjunction with angioplasty, it is called a stent implantation or stenting. A stent is a small, mesh-like tube made of metal (usually stainless steel or a cobalt-chromium alloy) or a bioabsorbable material. It is mounted on a deflated balloon and placed at the site of the blockage. When the balloon is inflated, the stent expands and presses against the artery walls, holding them open. The balloon is then deflated and removed, leaving the stent in place.