| Stent angioplasty was first performed in the | | | | slowed. This is known as a Âhardening of |
| mid-1980s and was approved by the FDA in the | | | | the arteriesÂ’ or arteriosclerosis. |
| mid-1990s. It is now widely used in the treatment | | | | What are coronary arteries? |
| of coronary artery disease. This procedure is | | | | The heart is nourished by several coronary |
| done under local anesthetic and the heart does | | | | arteries, which supply the heartÂ’s |
| not need to be stopped. | | | | muscle with blood. There are 4 major arteries and |
| The coronary arteries are the vessels that | | | | each is responsible for a different region of the |
| provide the blood supply to the heart tissue. | | | | heart. These arteries are named... The left |
| However, these arteries may become blocked | | | | coronary artery, the left anterior descending |
| with deposits of cholesterol and other fatty | | | | artery, the left circumflex and the right coronary |
| substances and this causes the channel to | | | | artery. |
| become narrow and hence the flow of blood is | | | | |