In a computerized workflow method for stent planning and conducting a
stenting procedure, characteristics of a lesion to be stented are
determined from a 3D planning image of the region and selection of an
actual stent for stenting the lesion is made with computer-assisted
analysis of the lesion based on the characteristics. A virtual stent is
electronically generated based on the actual stent, and, using the
virtual stent, a best position for the actual stent, for effectively
stenting the lesion, is determined. A real time 2D image of the
lesion-containing region is displayed during the stenting procedure, with
the virtual stent included therein at the aforementioned best position. A
physician manually guides the actual stent relative to the lesion during
the stenting procedure until the position of the actual stent, as seen in
the displayed real time 2D image, coincides with the virtual stent in
that image.