What are angioplasty and stent placement?

Angioplasty involves the inflation of a balloon in a narrowed area of the artery. The balloon compresses the plaque (material causing the narrowing) against the wall of the artery. A successful angioplasty procedure opens the narrowing and improves blood flow through the artery. Stents, which are small, wire, mesh-like tubes, may be placed at the time of the angioplasty to help keep the artery open. Both angioplasty and stenting cause a small injury to the wall of the artery that usually heals within 3-9 months.