If your Cross County Cardiology – Mount Sinai cardiologist recommends a coronary angiogram, and it reveals significant coronary artery disease, we will consider several treatment options. One minimally invasive approach is called percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), or stent placement. This involves inserting a flexible thin tube into the affected artery. We use this tube to help insert a stent to open the artery and restore blood flow to the heart muscle.

A stent is a small metal mesh that functions like the spring in a ballpoint pen. Once we place the stent in the coronary artery, it expands and functions like scaffolding to hold the artery open and improve circulation.

What to Expect

Stenting is especially appropriate in blood vessels that have been severely weakened because of plaque buildup. The procedure is usually performed as an outpatient procedure. That means we give you a local anesthetic to numb the area where we insert the tube. After the procedure, we monitor your progress carefully. Most patient can go home the same day.

If you do not have vein disease yet but have high risk factors for it, we will work with you to help prevent it.