Angioplasty & Stent Placement

Angioplasty

Angioplasty uses inflatable devices called balloons to open up narrowed arteries. Various types of balloons are used in different situations, including balloons that stretch arteries open, metal-edged balloons that cut and break up calcium deposits, and drug-coated balloons that can prevent scarring and future narrowing of the artery.

Stenting

Stenting uses small metal tubes to hold open narrowed arteries that are closing. Patients who receive stents also need to be on clot-preventing medications related to aspirin called “anti-platelets” that reduce the chance of clots forming inside the stent.

**Information sourced from the Society of Interventional Radiology