OVERVIEW
Coronary artery disease (CAD) develops when the buildup of plaque blocks blood flow and the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the heart. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a common method to open blocked coronary arteries (revascularization) along with the placement of a stent to keep coronaries open and blood flowing. Multiple types of stents are available, including bare metal stents and drug-eluting stents. Guide wires and catheters help physicians to optimize stent delivery and placement, which can be challenging based on the presence of tortuous coronary vessels, complex lesions, chronic total obstructions or the presence of comorbidities like diabetes.