A stent is a small metal coil or mesh tube.  During heart stent surgery, a stent is placed in a narrowed or blocked blood vessel. The stent will stay in the blood vessel to hold it open and improve blood flow to your heart muscle.

The stent, mounted onto a balloon, is slid into place.

The balloon is inflated to open the stent.

The stent remains in place, holding the artery open to retain improved blood flow.