What is a stent and how is it used?
A stent is a permanent implant in an artery or vein. It is expanded
against the inner wall where there is a build-up of fatty substances that
reduce the flow of blood. This build-up is known as atherosclerosis. If it
is left untreated, total blockage can occur resulting in a heart attack. Stent
procedure uses a wire mesh tube (a stent) to prop open an artery that has
recently been cleared using angioplasty. The stent is collapsed to a small
diameter, placed over an angioplasty balloon catheter and moved into the area
of the blockage. When the balloon is inflated, the stent expands, locks in
place and forms a rigid support to hold the artery open. The stent remains
in the artery permanently, holds it open, improves blood flow to the heart
muscle and relieves symptoms (often chest pain).
When are stents used?
The stent procedure is fairly common, sometimes used as an alternative
to coronary artery bypass surgery. A stent may be used as an alternative or
in combination with angioplasty. Certain features of the artery blockage make
it suitable for using a stent, such as the size of the artery and location
of the blockage.
Stent Implantation Step-by-Step
- The stent, which is mounted on a balloon catheter, is inserted into the
artery and directed to the site of the previous obstruction.
- When the balloon and stent are precisely in place, the balloon is inflated
and the stent expands. One or more stents may be used in the vessel to span
the length of the lesion.
- The balloon catheter is deflated and removed, along with the guidewire and
guiding catheter.
- The stent will remain in place permanently, keeping the artery open.
What are the advantages of using a stent?
In certain selected patients, stents have been shown to reduce the re-narrowing
that occurs in many patients following balloon angioplasty of other procedures
using catheters. Stents are also useful to restore normal blood flow and keep
an artery open if it has been torn or injured by the balloon catheter.
Can stented arteries reclose?
Re-closure (restenosis) can be a problem with the stent procedure. In recent
years doctors have used new stents, some of which are covered with drugs that
help prevent the blood vessel from re-closing. These new stents have shown some
promise for improving the long-term success of this procedure.
What precautions should be taken after a stent procedure?
After a stent procedure has been done, a patient may need to be on blood thinning
medication to help prevent blood clots. For the next six to eight weeks a magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) scan should not be done without a cardiologist's approval.
However, metal detectors do not affect the stent.
Having a stent implanted will not change your normal life. If patients with
stents work closely with their healthcare providers, many can live very full
and productive lives.
