To prevent restenosis, medications may be prescribed, a repeat angioplasty may be performed, or a stent may be inserted into the affected artery. A balloon catheter is used to insert the stent over a guide wire into the narrowed artery. When the balloon tip is inflated, the stent expands to the size of the artery and holds it open. The stent stays in place permanently to reinforce the expanded artery. The artery heals around the stent, which acts as a scaffold to keep the artery wall open.
Stents help prevent the treated blockage from recurring.
While the interventional procedures performed during coronary angioplasty will open a blocked artery, they will not CURE coronary artery disease. Lifestyle factors that can worsen coronary artery disease, such as smoking and diet, will also need to be modified. An exercise program will also be prescribed to improve your cardiac health after the procedure. Please plan on staying at the Cleveland Clinic all day for the procedure and most likely remaining in the hospital overnight. Most patients will need to have a routine chest X-ray, blood test, electrocardiogram and urinalysis before the procedure.