Stent: |
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What is a stent
- When is it used - How
does it work - What will it accomplish
- What are the risks - When
should it not be used - Recently
approved stents - Search all stents
- Links |
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What
is a stent? |
A stent is a small, lattice-shaped, metal
tube that is inserted permanently into an artery. The stent
helps hold open an artery so that blood can flow through it.
Drug-eluting stents are stents that contain
drugs that potentially reduce the chance the arteries will
become blocked again.
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When
is
it used? |
A stent is used to hold open
an artery that has become too narrow due to atherosclerosis.
In atherosclerosis, plaque builds up on the inner walls of
arteries, the blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood throughout
the body.
As the artery walls thicken, the pathway for blood narrows.
This can slow or block blood flow. |
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How
does
it work? |
The stent acts as a scaffold,
remaining in place permanently to help keep the artery open.
A stent is inserted through a main artery in the groin (femoral
artery) or arm (brachial artery) and threaded
up to the narrowed section of the artery with a tiny catheter
(balloon catheter.)
When it reaches the right location, the balloon is slightly
inflated to push the plaque out of the way and expand the
artery (balloon angioplasty). Some stents are stretched open
(expanded) by the balloon at the same time as the
artery. Other stents are inserted into the artery immediately
after the angioplasty procedure.
Once in place, the stent helps holds the artery open so that
the heart muscle gets enough blood.
Drug-eluting stents contain a drug that is released locally
over time. |
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What
will it accomplish? |
The stent opens the narrowed artery
so that an adequate supply of blood can be restored. |
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What
are
the risks? |
The stent placement procedure
can cause infection, blood clots, or bleeding. Other rare
complications of coronary stents include chest pain, heart
attack, or tearing of the blood vessel. The stent can move
out of place (stent migration). In some cases, plaque can
reappear in the stented artery (in-stent restenosis).
Drug-eluting stents have additional risks other than those
listed here.
Your doctor can tell you more about the risks associated
with stents and drug-eluting stents. |
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When
should
it not be used? |
Stents should not be used in
patients who can not tolerate angioplasty, or who are sensitive
(allergic) to the stent materials. They can not be used in
patients who can not be placed on blood-thinning (anti-platelet)
medication.
Drug-eluting stents have additional restrictions. Your doctor
can tell you more about whether or not you are an appropriate
candidate for this technology. |
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Recently
approved stents: |
Find
information about specific stents from FDA's Recently Approved
Devices listings. |
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all stents: |
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