how is a stent put into the heart?
Once in place, the balloon is inflated to push the plaque and stretch the artery open to boost blood flow to the heart. Stent: This is a small tube that acts as a scaffold to support the inside your coronary artery. A balloon catheter, placed over a guide wire, puts the stent into your narrowed coronary artery. Once in place, the balloon is inflated, and the stent expands to the size of the artery and holds it open. The balloon is then deflated and removed while the stent stays in place. Over several weeks, your artery heals around the stent.