Forsyth Medical Center 
Tests and Treatments
Stenting
| When an artery becomes clogged, bloodflow from the heart to the rest of the body is restricted. Stents are used to re-open a clogged artery allowing blood to flow normally again. |
Forsyth Cardiac and Vascular Center offers the stenting procedure to reopen arteries that are closed or narrowed by a build-up of plaque. A stent is a small wire mesh tube used to prop open the clogged or closed artery.
During an angioplasty procedure in the the cath lab, the cardiologist places the stent over an angioplasty balloon catheter and moves it into the area of the blockage. The balloon is inflated, the stent expands, and the stainless steel or titanium spring-like structure forms a rigid support to hold open the weak artery wall.
The stent remains in the artery permanently, holding it open to improve blood flow to the heart muscle. It also helps to relieve symptoms, usually chest pain.
