Coronary stent
The long-term benefit of conventional coronary angioplasty is limited by the possibility of restenosis (reocclusion) of the treated artery, which occurs in approximately 30 to 50% of patients. Preliminary evidence suggests that stents may reduce the chance of restenosis by decreasing the elastic recoil of the vessel and sealing internal flaps, thus providing a wider, smoother coronary lumen. The first human coronary stenting was done by Sigwart et al in 1987.
