Stents are tiny mesh-like tubes made from stainless steel.
The actual procedure for placement of the stent is the same as an angioplasty with the addition of the stent placement. In some cases, stents are used when blocked bypass vein grafts are opened through angioplasty. First, an angioplasty is done to open the blockage in the area. After the artery is opened, a catheter, which has a stent over a deflated balloon on the tip is reinserted into the artery up to the area previously opened by angioplasty. Once in place, the balloon is inflated, expanding the stent and pressing it against the artery wall.