An expandable stent has larger cells located at the proximal and distal ends of the stent than in the body portion so that more of a catheter balloon can protrude into the stent cells to increase stent retention. The intravascular stent has a plurality of cylindrical rings connected by links, the spacing of which is a factor in defining the cell size. Where the spacing between adjacent rings is longer such as at the ends of the stent, more than one U-shaped elements can be incorporated into the links to improve flexibility. The stent can be compressed or crimped onto a balloon catheter to a very low profile and maintain a high degree of stent retention due to increased spacing between rings at the proximal and distal ends of the stent.
