Stenting of narrowed or blocked arteries

What is stenting of arteries?

Through a small needle entering the artery in the groin (the femoral artery), using very fine wires and catheters, a collapsed stent is inserted into the narrowing or blocked artery and expanded, creating a wider passage for oxygenated blood to travel through the artery and supply the body. 

Stents are often made of nickel, titanium or stainless steel. These stents remain in the wall of the artery. There are even new stents that are made of a plastic polymer that eventually dissolves in the wall of the artery.