The procedure is performed in a Cath Lab under local anaesthesia. A small tube called a catheter is placed into an artery in your wrist or groin. Using X-ray guidance the catheter is positioned in the narrowed artery.  A fine wire is passed through the catheter and across the blockage. The stent mounted on a balloon is guided over the wire, across the narrowing.  Once the cardiologist is happy it is in the right position, the balloon is inflated, widening the narrowed part of the artery and expanding the stent to fit the artery wall. Then the catheter, balloon and wire are removed, leaving the stent in place.

Restenosis (Re-narrowing)

While stents help reduce the risk of re-narrowing, it can still happen as cells heal and grow through the stent's mesh. This typically occurs between 6 weeks and 6 months after the procedure and is more common in smaller arteries, long narrowings, and diabetic patients. If re-narrowing occurs, the artery can usually be treated again.