Coronary Stenting

Coronary stenting is a procedure of inserting a metal stent that helps in the restoration of blood flow when there is any blockage in the coronary arteries.

Stent is an artificial device, a mesh-like tube made up of stainless-steel that has the ability to expand inside the blocked artery. Stents are mounted on narrow tube (catheter) which has a deflated balloon towards the end. Small incisions are made either on the upper thigh, neck or arm. Through one of the incisions, the catheter along with the deflated balloon is inserted in to the blocked coronary artery. In the coronary artery, the balloon swells up allowing the stent to lock and expand. Later the balloon is deflated and removed. The stent remains permanently in the artery where the inner lining of the artery will start to grow over this stent. Stent will always keep the artery open and prevents the closure of the artery.

Coronary stenting is performed during an angioplasty procedure.

These stents are used in some of the heart conditions such as coronary heart disease (CHD). The arteries that carry blood from heart to different parts of body are blocked by fatty substances, plaques, restricting the blood flow to the heart. During angioplasty, the stents are placed in the coronary artery that will widen the passage of blood vessels and improves the blood supply.

Blood clot is commonly observed in patients who have undergone coronary stenting. These blood clots reduce the oxygen flow to the blood. This complication is mild and occurs only during the first few days of your surgery. Blood thinning agents such as aspirin and clopidogrel are prescribed in patients who have undergone stent procedure to prevent formation of blood clots in the stent.