What is Angioplasty and Stent Placement?

Angioplasty, also known as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), involves using a balloon catheter to widen blocked or narrowed arteries caused by fatty plaque buildup (atherosclerosis).

A stent is a small, expandable metal or drug-coated tube that is inserted during angioplasty to keep the artery open permanently.

Types of Stents:

• Bare-metal stents (BMS): Provide structural support to the artery.
• Drug-eluting stents (DES): Coated with medication to prevent re-narrowing.
• Bioabsorbable stents: Designed to dissolve over time.