Bare-metal stent

Bare-Metal Stent is a type of stent that is commonly used in the treatment of coronary artery disease. Unlike drug-eluting stents, bare-metal stents do not have a coating that releases medication to prevent the artery from narrowing again.

History[edit | edit source]

The first bare-metal stents were introduced in the late 1980s. They were initially used as a treatment for peripheral artery disease, but their use quickly expanded to include coronary artery disease.

Design and Construction[edit | edit source]

Bare-metal stents are typically made from stainless steel or cobalt-chromium alloy. They are designed to be flexible and durable, allowing them to be inserted into the artery and expand to hold it open. The stent is mounted on a balloon catheter and delivered to the site of the blockage. Once in place, the balloon is inflated, expanding the stent and pushing the plaque against the artery wall.

Clinical Use[edit | edit source]

Bare-metal stents are used in a procedure called percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), also known as coronary angioplasty. This procedure is used to treat coronary artery disease, a condition in which the arteries that supply blood to the heart become narrowed or blocked by a buildup of plaque.

Advantages and Disadvantages[edit | edit source]

The main advantage of bare-metal stents is their simplicity and lower cost compared to drug-eluting stents. They are also less likely to cause blood clots, a potential complication of stent placement. However, bare-metal stents have a higher rate of restenosis, or re-narrowing of the artery, compared to drug-eluting stents.

Future Developments[edit | edit source]

Research is ongoing to improve the design and performance of bare-metal stents. This includes the development of stents made from bioabsorbable materials, which are designed to dissolve over time, reducing the risk of long-term complications.