A self-expanding braided stent (10) includes at least a distal radial expansion ring (20a) added to a distal end of the stent body (11) to increase a radial expansion force of the self-expanding braided stent in deployment of the stent, and to facilitate advancement of the stent through a delivery sheath (44) by a core advancement wire (54). A proximal radial expansion ring (20b) is optionally added to a proximal end of the stent body to allow the stent to be recaptured following partial deployment by retraction of the core advancement wire, prior to full deployment of a proximal portion of the stent body.
