Coronary stents are now often used in almost all angioplasty procedures after a heart attack. A stent is a small machine that looks like a mesh coil. It is inserted into the artery and opened. The artery can be prevented from shrinking or closing again. After inserting the stent, tissue begins to form on the stent like a layer of skin. The stent will be completely filled with tissue within 3 to 12 months. The period of time depends on whether the stent has a drug coating or not.
Coronary Stents
You may be given medicines called antiplatelets to reduce the stickiness of platelets. Platelets are special blood cells that stick together to stop bleeding. Medication can also prevent blood clots from forming inside the stent. Your healthcare team will give you specific instructions about which medicines to take and for how long.
How does a stent work?
Most stents are coated with medication to prevent scar cells from forming inside the stent. These stents are called drug-eluting stents. They release medication into the blood circulation that slows down the overgrowth of cells inside the stent. This helps prevent the blood circulation from narrowing again.
Some stents do not have this drug coating and are called bare metal stents. They may have a higher rate of stenosis. But they do not require long-term use of antiplatelet medicines. This may be the preferred stent for people who are at high risk of bleeding. The stent works by correcting these. If you have chest pain after having a stent put in, you should talk to your healthcare team.
What are the risks of angioplasty?
Potential risks associated with angioplasty, stenting, atherectomy, and related procedures include:
Bleeding problems occur at the site where the catheter is inserted into the body (usually the groin, wrist or arm)
a blood clot or damage to the blood circulation from the catheter
Blood clot in the blood circulation
infection at the catheter insertion site
heart disease
heart attack
Stroke
chest pain or discomfort
Rupture of a coronary artery or complete blockage of a coronary artery. Which requires open-heart surgery.
allergic reaction to the contrast dye
kidney damage from the contrast dye
Disclaimer: Some of the information given in the news is based on media reports. Before implementing any suggestion, please consult the concerned expert.
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