Stents in arterial dissection repair. Coloured 3D computed tomography (CT) angiograms of the thoracoabdominal and iliac aorta in a 65-year-old female patient, showing stents (white, mesh) that have been implanted to repair a dissection (tear) of the descending thoracic aorta. Stents are wire mesh tubes that are used to provide support to passageways within the body. Here, 2 stents have been inserted into the aorta to strengthen and support its wall in the area of the tear.