The carotid artery is a major artery in the neck that carries blood to the brain. Carotid angioplasty is used to open an artery that is narrowed to allow more blood to flow through to help prevent stroke. Carotid Stents are used to prop the carotid artery open after angioplasty. A stent is a wire mesh tube that is collapsed into a small diameter, put over a balloon catheter and moved into the area of blockage. When the balloon is inflated, the stent expands and locks in place, holding the artery open. The stent stays in the artery permanently to hold it open and improve blood flow.