Atherosclerosis, characterized by the accumulation of fatty plaques within arteries, can impede blood flow. This narrowing often leads to symptoms such as chest pain (angina) and significantly increases the risk of serious complications like blood clot formation and myocardial infarction (heart attack). A stent is a small, expandable mesh tube inserted to restore and maintain the patency of narrowed arteries, thereby alleviating symptoms and reducing the risk of critical cardiac events.

Beyond cardiac applications, stents are also used in various other medical conditions:
* To maintain the openness of ducts (e.g., bile ducts or urinary tracts) that are narrowed due to stones or other blockages.
* To prevent airway collapse and improve breathing in conditions affecting the bronchi.
* To reinforce and maintain the lumen of vessels affected by aneurysms (abnormal dilations), ensuring normal blood flow and preventing rupture.