Bare-metal

Bare-metal stent is a type of stent that is used in the treatment of coronary artery disease. It is a small, mesh-like device made of stainless steel or cobalt alloy. The stent is placed into a narrowed or blocked coronary artery to help keep it open and improve blood flow to the heart.

History[edit | edit source]

The bare-metal stent was first introduced in the 1980s. It was a significant improvement over previous treatments for coronary artery disease, which included balloon angioplasty and coronary artery bypass graft surgery. However, the use of bare-metal stents has been associated with a risk of restenosis, or re-narrowing of the artery.

Procedure[edit | edit source]

The procedure to place a bare-metal stent is called percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The stent is mounted on a balloon catheter and guided to the site of the blockage. The balloon is then inflated, expanding the stent and pushing it into place against the artery wall. Once the stent is in place, the balloon is deflated and removed.

Risks and Complications[edit | edit source]

While bare-metal stents have been successful in treating coronary artery disease, they are associated with a risk of restenosis. This occurs when scar tissue forms inside the stent, causing the artery to narrow again. To reduce the risk of restenosis, drug-eluting stents were developed. These stents are coated with a drug that inhibits the growth of scar tissue.

See Also[edit | edit source]

Bare-metal Resources
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