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.
Primary Medical Reviewer
Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer
Karin M. Lindholm, DO - Neurology
Last Updated
May 23, 2007
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
May 23, 2007
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