An expandable vascular stent includes an m x n array of ovals formed in acylinder, m being the number of columns of ovals in the circumferentialdirection and n being the number of rows of ovals in the axial direction, anda plurality of prongs extending inwardly from the outer ends of respectiveovals in rows 1 and n of the m x n array, and being arranged in facing pairsextending from axially-aligned ovals. The cylinder is expandable from aninitial diameter to a pre-determined final diameter, wherein an increase inthe diameter of the stent results in a substantial decrease in the length ofthe stent. The tube and the prongs can be made of surgical stainless steel,the tube being expandable using an angioplasty balloon； or the tube and theprongs can be made of a memory metal and the tube is self-expanding.
