Everything you need to know about Cardiac stents

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CARDIAC STENTS

By Dr. Ranjit Jagtap

MEETOURDOCTOR

Dr.

Ranjit Jagtap

Dr Ranjit Jagtap tells that coronary arteries carry oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. As plaque accumulates in the coronary arteries, blood flow can be restricted. This is called coronary artery disease (CHD). It can damage the heart muscle and put you at risk of a heart attack.

ABOUT

Cardiac stents

Doctors use cardiac stent to treat blocked or narrowed coronary arteries. It can also improve blood flow immediately after a heart attack. Cardiac stents are expandable coils of metal mesh.

HOWACARDIACSTENTSISPLACED?

Your doctor can do this Insert a cardiac stent under local anesthesia. First, a small incision is made in your groin, arm, or neck. Next, they insert a catheter with a stent and a balloon. They use special dyes and monitors to guide the catheter through the blood vessels to the narrowed or blocked coronary artery.

HOWACARDIACSTENTSISPLACED?

When they reach the narrowed or blocked area, they inflate the balloon. This widens the stent and stretches the artery, allowing more blood to flow. Finally, your doctor will deflate the balloon, remove the catheter and leave the stent in place.

A filter prevents plaque and blood clots from breaking loose and floating freely in the bloodstream during this procedure

After the procedure, you must take medication to prevent clotting in the stent. As your artery begins to heal, your tissue begins to fuse with the stent's mesh, strengthening your artery.

A specific type of stent called a drug-eluting stent (DES) is sometimes used. It is drug coated to reduce your risk of restenosis. Restenosis occurs when the artery narrows again.