A cardiac stent is a small expandable coil of metal mesh that doctors place inside an artery to maintain its patency and improve blood flow within the region.

Stents can help ease obstructions and treat narrowed or damaged blood vessels that are weak or narrow. Doctors can also put stents into other body parts to strengthen cerebral blood vessels or the ducts that transport urine and bile.

A cardiac stent is typically a mesh-like iron tube. However, fabric stents are also offered. Sometimes, doctors utilize dissolvable stents coated with medication to provide a temporary solution.

This article will find out What is a stent. Uses, risks, and recovery.

What is a cardiac stent?

The plaque will accumulate in your coronary arteries, reducing blood flow. It is called the coronary heart condition. It supplies oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. It could cause damage to the muscle of your heart and increase the risk of suffering from a heart attack.

A cardiac stent can be used to treat blocked or narrowed coronary arteries. It can also increase blood flow after a heart attack.

The doctor can insert it into the heart vessels by minimally-invasive coronary angioplasty procedure. The device is intended to strengthen your artery walls to keep your artery clear and increase blood flow to your heart.

Angioplasty with stenting is generally advised for patients depending on the type of blockage and the number of blockages in the arteries of the heart. Bypass surgery might be the best option for more than two blocked blood vessels.

What to avoid after having a stent?

  • Check for signs of infection near the area where the catheter was placed. Be on the lookout for the area to become hot or red and any signs of drainage.
  • Ensure the insertion area is dry for between 24 and 48 hours.
  • If you notice bleeding around the area at your catheter site, apply pressure to the area. Seek help and contact your doctor.
  • Check for bleeding in the area where the catheter was placed and any changes in color or discomfort, or a warm sensation within the region.
  • Make sure you drink plenty of water.
  • Do not exercise vigorously.
  • Do not lift heavy objects.
  • A minimum of an entire week before taking a swim or bathing.
  • Beware of sexual activity during the week.
  • Do not stress yourself. A majority of people require a minimum of one week to return to their routine. If your job is physically demanding or strenuous, you may need a longer time.
  • Speak with someone if you are feeling depressed. It's normal to feel down following a medical procedure. Get assistance from a family member or a support group. If you're unsure of where to go, talk to your doctor or a healthcare team member for recommendations.
  • Don't be a hero. Allow other people to help you until you feel better.

Risks

Like with any medical procedure, there is a chance that you will react to an allergy to drugs or the materials used for the angioplasty procedure and stenting. Angioplasties can also trigger bleeding or damage to your heart or blood vessels and irregular heartbeat. Other possible but uncommon complications are heart attacks, kidney problems, and stroke.

Inform any chest pains to your doctor immediately. After this procedure, scar tissue could develop inside the stent. If this occurs, a follow-up procedure could be required to eliminate it. There's also the chance of blood clots forming within the stent. It is necessary to take medication to prevent this from happening.

Uses

The most popular use of a stent is to let blood flow through a vessel suffering from obstruction due to plaque.

Plaque is the accumulation of cholesterol, fat, and other substances present in the blood. If this plaque forms within the bloodstream, it adheres to the wall of arteries. In time, this accumulation restricts the arteries, thus limiting the amount of blood reaching the body.

Plaque buildup within the arteries is the primary source of a heart attack. In time, people who have narrowed arteries can detect warning signs, including chest discomfort. If those suffering from the disease do not seek treatment, they could be at greater risk of developing complications, for example, stroke or heart attack.

If the blood vessel is in danger of collapsing or becoming blocked, Doctors may suggest inserting the stent to ensure it remains open. The doctor inserts a stent in an artery during an operation known as PCI, percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), or angioplasty using the stent.

In PCI, doctors insert a catheter in the artery. The catheter comprises a small balloon with a stent surrounding it at one end. Once the catheter has reached the point of blockage, the doctor will then inflate the balloon.

As the balloon expands, the stent expands before locking in place. The doctor will remove the catheter but leave the stent to keep the artery open. The doctor will determine whether or not to put in the stent based on several aspects, including the dimensions of the artery and the location of the blockage.

How Does Stent Treat Heart Disease?

Now the question is, what is a stent and how does it treat heart disease? Stents for coronary arteries are used in virtually every angioplasty procedure. It is placed in the newly opened portion of the artery to stop the artery from narrowing or closing altogether. After the stent is put in place, the tissue will begin to cover the stent, similar to an enveloping layer of skin.

Cardiac Stent: Benefits and How It Works

Many people find that it can positively impact the quality of life. Angioplasty with stenting could be life-saving, mainly when done right following a heart attack.

It will significantly improve blood flow to your heart and stop further damage to the heart muscle. It can also help alleviate the signs of heart diseases, for example, chest pain (angina) and shortness of breath. In most instances, you'll notice the benefits instantly.

In some instances, the procedure can eliminate your requirement for bypass surgery. Stenting is much less surgical in comparison to bypass surgery. It also takes much shorter. It takes only some days to recuperate from stenting. It might need at least six weeks to heal following bypass surgery.

If you're an ideal candidate for stenting will depend on a variety of factors, including the number of blocked arteries and any other medical conditions you could suffer from.

Recovery

Successful stent surgery will alleviate symptoms like chest pain and the feeling of having a short breath. Many people can return to work and regular activities within the first week of a successful operation.

Doctors prescribe antiplatelet medications to stop blood clots from developing close to the stent in recovery. Aspirin is an antiplatelet medication that patients will have to take daily for an indefinite time following the insertion of a stent.

Doctors might also recommend using a medication known as a P2Y inhibitor. P2Y inhibitors are clopidogrelPrasugrel, and ticagrelor.

Doctors will provide the patient with specific instructions for recovery, for example, avoiding challenging activities or exercising to allow the body to heal.

Conclusion

Cardiologists commonly insert stents to increase artery size and prevent complications caused by coronary heart disease. Although a stent is a good option, several complications can develop.

Although stenting can significantly improve, it's not the only way to treat heart disease. There is still a need to consider contributing factors, like high blood cholesterol and blood pressure levels or being overweight.

Your physician may prescribe medication or other treatments that help tackle these issues. Always follow a Cardiologist’s recommendation on the dosage of medication and recovery. Making the necessary steps to manage your blood pressure and cholesterol and pursuing a healthy lifestyle can help to prevent and treat heart disease.

Also Read: Why is hypertension a silent killer

with Dr. Sukriti Bhalla

×

Call Us

+91 88000 15905

"Or" We Just need a few details




Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *