1.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.

A stent is a wire metal mesh tube used to prop open an artery during angioplasty. The stent is collapsed to a small diameter and put over a balloon catheter. It's then moved into the area of the blockage. When the balloon is inflated, the stent expands, locks in place and forms a scaffold. This holds the artery open

A stent inserted into an artery that has been opened using a procedure such as balloon angioplasty or atherectomy. These procedures open clogged arteries to allow more blood to flow through. Stenting performed following these catheter-based procedures reduces the risk of the artery narrowing once more (restenosis).

2.When are stents used?

Stents are used depending on certain features of the artery blockage. This includes the size of the artery and where the blockage is. .

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.

3.What are the advantages of using a stent?

In certain patients, stents reduce the renarrowing that occurs after balloon angioplasty or other procedures that use catheters..

4.Can stented arteries reclose?

Yes. Reclosure (restenosis) is also a problem with the stent procedure. In recent years doctors have used new types of stents called drug-eluting stents.
These are coated with drugs that are slowly released and help keep the blood vessel from reclosing.

Stents that are not coated with drugs are called bare metal stents. As detailed below, it is very important that patients with either type of stent take their anti-clotting medicines as directed.

5.What precautions should be taken after a stent procedure?

Patients who've had a stent procedure must take one or more blood-thinning agents. Examples are aspirin and clopidogrel .

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