“What is the difference between a stent and angioplasty?”
I am a 55 year old female. I want to know what is the difference between a stent and angioplasty?
2 Answers
Edwin Rodriguez-Cruz
Cardiologist
Angioplasty is the action of opening an obstructed vessel with a special catheter with a balloon at the end. The balloon looks like a small plastic sausage that is filled with fluid inside the affected vessel. NOTHING is left inside the vessel after the angioplasty.
However, the implantation of a STENT is performed in the same manner as the angioplasty, with a special balloon catheter, but the stent is delivered with the balloon. Is inflated in the affected area and left inside the vessel. This will keep the walls of the vessels open. You can search for pictures of stents in the internet.
However, the implantation of a STENT is performed in the same manner as the angioplasty, with a special balloon catheter, but the stent is delivered with the balloon. Is inflated in the affected area and left inside the vessel. This will keep the walls of the vessels open. You can search for pictures of stents in the internet.
An angioplasty and stent placement is the same.
