Glossary term
Stent
Reference only — not medical advice. See disclaimer.
A small, expandable metallic mesh tube inserted into a narrowed or blocked artery, bile duct, oesophagus, or other tubular body structure to hold it open and maintain patency following angioplasty or other interventional procedures. Coronary artery stents may be bare-metal or drug-eluting, with the latter releasing medication to reduce the risk of re-narrowing (restenosis).