How is a balloon expandable stent deployed?
The Palmaz stent is the prototypic balloon-expandable stent. Such stents come packaged either individually or premounted on a balloon. When the balloon is inflated, the stent expands to the diameter of the balloon. As the stent expands, it changes very little in length. The relatively constant size and method of delivery/deployment of this type of stent allow for precise and predictable placement. Balloon-expandable stents are the stents of choice for treating renal artery stenosis. Because they are made of laser-cut stainless steel, these stents may cause significant artifact on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations. Balloon-expandable stents may be permanently deformed by extrinsic compression and should not be used in situations in which they could be subject to these forces.
