Stent Placement

What is Stent Placement

Stent placement surgery is the process of inserting a stent in blocked or narrowed arteries. Atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in arteries) and coronary artery disease cause arterial blockages. The stent keeps the artery open, allowing rapid blood flow to the heart or other parts of the body. Medicines also coat the stents to prevent the artery from re-narrowing.
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Types of Stent Placement procedures

There are numerous types of stent placement surgeries:
Bare-metal stents (BMS): These are uncoated stents used primarily to hold the walls of the arteries after angioplasty.
Drug-eluting stents (DES): By reducing tissue growth, these medicated devices prevent arteries from re-narrowing.
Biodegradable stents: These types of stents will dissolve over time and avoid permanent metallic stents.
Dual therapy stents: This is a device that combines the mechanical structure advantage with drug-eluting technology to provide long-term support and protection against artery narrowing.
Each type of stent has its own choice in terms of the patient's condition and blockage severity.
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Need for Stent Placement Procedures

Plaque accumulation typically results in significant artery blockage, necessitating the placement of a stent. The following conditions typically necessitate the placement of the stent:

A blockage of the heart's arteries is known as CAD.
Peripheral Artery Disease: As the name suggests, this occurs when the arteries in the legs and extremities are blocked.
Atherosclerosis is the hardening of the arteries caused by cholesterol and fatty deposits.
Angina is a chronic condition that includes chest pains caused by poor blood flow to the heart.
Patients with symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pain, or a history of myocardial infarctions may benefit from stent placement surgery.
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Preparing for Stent Placement

Patient Evaluation
Before stent surgery, physicians must thoroughly evaluate patients to determine whether surgery is necessary. The evaluation will include an analysis of the patient's case history, current medications, and any underlying disorders such as diabetes, hypertension, and kidney disorders that may impact the surgical outcome.
Pre-procedure Instructions
The patient will receive pre-procedure instructions. The instructions generally include:
Fasting: Patients are usually required to fast for around 8–12 hours before the surgery.
Changes in medication: The risk of bleeding prompts modifications in the intake of blood-thinning medications.
Consent forms: A consent form will need to be signed in writing after discussing possible risks and benefits with a physician.
Testing and imaging
Before the surgery is performed, some tests may be required in order to assess the extent of blockage:
Electrocardiogram (ECG): It provides an overview of the electrical activity of the heart.
Blood investigations are conducted to monitor the kidneys' function, among other health parameters.
Coronary Angiography: An imaging test in great detail to help visualize the heart's arteries and elucidate the sites and magnitude of blockages.

Stent Placement procedure

Step-by-step process
The following is the procedure for stent placement:
Local Anaesthesia: Local anesthesia is given in the area surrounding the artery, usually in the wrist or groin area.
Catheter Insertion: A catheter—a thin tube carrying a balloon at its tip—is advanced through an incision in the artery to reach the obstructed portion of the artery. The balloon is inflated to widen the artery by pushing the plaque against the wall of the artery. 
Stent Placement: To keep the artery open, the stent is placed at the obstruction site.
The balloon will be deflated once the stent is in its correct position, and then the catheter will be removed very carefully.
The entire procedure is conducted under the guidance of fluoroscopy—live x-ray imaging—to ensure that the physician has all the accurate positioning decisions.

Post-Stent Placement care

Following the procedure, patients are then taken to a recovery area where they will either be discharged the same day or may need to stay overnight depending on the complexity of the procedure. Rest is advised for the first few days, then a gradual resumption of normal activities. They are also counseled to avoid strenuous activities, such as heavy lifting, for at least one-week post-surgery.
Medication and follow-up
After the installation of a stent, doctors often prescribe the administration of blood-thinning drugs, such as aspirin or clopidogrel, to prevent the growth of blood clots within the stent. In follow-up care, regular ECGs and imaging studies are performed to ensure that the functioning of the stent is good.
Long-term success after surgery depends considerably on lifestyle changes. Patients are encouraged to make healthier changes in their lives in order to reduce the risk of further blockages.
- Stop Smoking
- Eat a heart-healthy diet low in saturated fats, salt, and sugar. This may mean working - with a dietician or nutritionist to develop a diet regime that will help improve the health of your heart.
- Exercise regularly, keeping your heart healthy.
- Meditation, mindfulness, or therapy can help you keep stress low and your outlook bright.

Risks and Complications

There are several risks that typically come with stent placement surgery:
Blood clots may form inside the stent and block the artery again.
Bleeding can occur at the site where the catheter was inserted.
The dye used in angiography can cause an allergic reaction.
Artery re-narrowing (restenosis): This can occur, particularly if a bare metal stent is used rather than a drug-eluting stent.
Discussing these risks with your doctor in advance helps ensure that the procedure is performed as safely as possible.
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Success Rates and Outcomes

The stenting surgery is quite effective, with 90–95% of cases receiving improved blood flow and significant relief from symptoms. The long-term success of this surgery is dependent on adhering to the prescribed medicines and lifestyle recommendations. Most patients who follow their treatment program and healthier habits show a marked decrease in symptoms and risks of future cardiovascular events.

Conclusion

Why choose Continental Hospitals for Stent Placement