Although balloon angioplasty is often successful in enlarging the opening of an obstructed artery, an affected artery may close again. When this happens, the doctor may choose to perform another angioplasty and place a stent within the artery to keep it open. In some patients whose arteries are likely to narrow again, the doctor may place the stent during the first procedure, potentially eliminating the need for another procedure.

A stent is a tiny wire mesh tube that acts as a scaffolding to maintain and support the opening of an artery. It can be placed in virtually any artery of the body where blood flow is especially vital, including those of the heart, kidneys, and the carotid arteries (which supply blood to the brain).

A stent placement procedure is much the same as angioplasty, except that an unexpanded stent is slipped over the deflated balloon on the catheter that is threaded into the femoral artery. When the doctor has inserted the catheter to the site of the obstruction, the balloon is inflated, causing the stent to expand. The physician then removes the balloon, leaving the open stent in place and allowing blood to once again flow freely through the artery. Stents remain in place permanently.

Interventional Radiology

NYU Langone Medical Center
550 First Avenue
New York, NY 10016

To contact us, please call 212-263-5898, or fax us at 212-263-7914

Timothy Clark, M.D.
Section Chief & Fellowship Program Director / Associate Professor, Department of Radiology

Hearns Charles, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Departments of Radiology and House Staff

Richard Lefleur, M.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Radiology

Hillel Bryk, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology

Theresa Aquino, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology

Sandor Kovacs, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology