Differences between dilatation balloons and stents

Dilatation balloons have a higher risk of restenosis than stents, and stenting is not suitable for patients with calcified arteries; only balloons can be placed. Both dilation balloons and coronary stents are used to dilate coronary arteries to restore blood supply to the heart muscle in the event of a stenosis. A dilatation balloon is a balloon that is inflated to expand the narrowed coronary artery, which then dilates the narrowed artery, restoring blood flow and relieving the patient’s chest pain. However, the recurrence rate after dilatation balloon surgery is high. Coronary stents, which place a permanently expandable structure over a narrowed vessel, are less likely to cause restenosis and are preferred by most patients. However, if the patient has severe wall calcification or a stent has already been placed in the stenosis, only a dilation balloon can be used.