balloonexpandable

Balloon-expandable refers to medical devices that increase in diameter by inflating a catheter-mounted balloon. The term is most often applied to balloon-expandable stents and to balloon-expandable transcatheter heart valves. In delivery, the device is mounted on the deflated balloon, navigated to the target site, and then expanded to the intended diameter. After expansion, the balloon is deflated and removed, leaving the implant scaffold in place.

Balloon-expandable stents are typically metallic frames, often stainless steel or cobalt-chromium, crimped onto a balloon. Upon inflation, the frame is expanded and anchored against the vessel wall. They are contrasted with self-expanding stents, which use shape-memory alloys such as nitinol. Balloon-expandable devices offer precise deployment and high radial strength, but may be less forgiving in highly tortuous vessels and carry a risk of vessel injury if over-dilated or if the balloon rupture occurs.

Beyond coronary arteries, balloon-expandable technology is used in peripheral interventions and in transcatheter heart valves, such as balloon-expandable valves deployed in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). These valves, like the Edwards SAPIEN, use balloon expansion to seat the prosthesis within the native annulus.

History and development: balloon-expandable stents emerged in the late 1980s and early 1990s as a major advancement in percutaneous coronary intervention, with early examples such as the Palmaz–Schatz stent. Over time, material improvements and balloon technologies have improved deliverability and safety.