Implantation of stents / Coronary angioplasty

If during the examination narrowing of coronary vessels becomes visible, it can be treated on the spot by means of so called balloon dilation (coronary angioplasty). The operation technique is similar to cardiac catherization. Accessing from groin a guiding catheter is pushed into the narrowed coronary vessel. Then through a guidewire a balloon catheter is positioned. By inflating the balloon (30 to 60 seconds) the relevant vessel is widened.

In the most cases balloon dilation is followed by the insertion of a stent. This stent is made of thin bare metal wire and is inserted into a narrowed spot by using of a balloon catheter. In order to get a good long-term result, drug-eluting stents are also often used. This drug is released for days or weeks from the stent into the stenosis.