Sometimes one or more stents is implanted during a coronary angioplasty procedure. A stent is a small, metal coil or mesh structure that is placed in a collapsing artery to hold it open. The stent is mounted on a balloon catheter and delivered to the site of the blockage. When the stent is inflated (deployed), it expands and is pressed against the inner wall of the coronary artery. After the balloon is deflated and removed, the stent remains in place, keeping the artery open. The physician may use more than one stent, depending on the length of the diseased segment. Once in place, the stent conforms to the shape, size and bends of the vessel. Eventually, the artery wall grows around the stent as it continues supporting the coronary artery.

After the procedure, patients who receive stents are given a Patient Information Card to carry with them. This card gives limited information about the stent(s) they received, and should be shown whenever they undergo dental or medical treatment.