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A coronary stent is a small, mesh-like tube made of metal or plastic. It is inserted into a blocked or narrowed coronary artery to keep the passageway open and restore blood flow to the heart muscle. This procedure is often part of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). While angioplasty uses a balloon to widen the artery, stents help maintain that opening. The use of drug-coated stents has reduced the need for repeat angioplasty procedures.12

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