Coronary artery stent

Coronary artery stent is a small, self-expanding, metal mesh tube that is placed within a coronary artery to keep the artery open, following an angioplasty procedure.

Overview

A coronary artery stent is used to treat narrowed arteries that occur in coronary artery disease. The stent is placed in the artery during or immediately after angioplasty. It helps prevent the artery from closing up again. A drug-eluting stent has medicine embedded in it that helps prevent the artery from closing in the long term.

Procedure

The procedure to place a coronary artery stent involves a cardiologist who threads a thin tube through a blood vessel in the arm or groin up to the involved site in the artery. The stent is then placed in the blocked artery. The stent is mounted on a balloon-tipped catheter. Inflating the balloon expands the stent against the artery wall where it is left in place to keep the artery open.

Risks

While coronary artery stents can be very effective at keeping arteries open, they are not without risks. These can include blood clots, bleeding, heart attack, kidney failure, stroke, and infection.

Aftercare

After a coronary artery stent procedure, most people need to take antiplatelet drugs to help prevent blood clots. These drugs must be taken exactly as directed to prevent complications.

See also

• Angioplasty
• Coronary artery disease
• Heart attack
• Stroke

Coronary artery stent Resources
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