Stentar

Stentar, in many languages a term for stents, refers to small tubular devices inserted into narrowed or blocked body passages to keep them open. Stents are used to treat problems in various lumens, most commonly blood vessels, but also in ducts and airways. They act as scaffolds that support the walls of the channel and maintain adequate flow or drainage.

Stents come in several types and materials. Metallic stents, including bare-metal stents and drug-eluting stents, are often used in arteries. Drug-eluting stents release antiproliferative drugs to reduce scar tissue and restenosis. Biodegradable stents, made from polymers that gradually dissolve, have been developed to reduce long-term foreign material in the vessel. Stents can be balloon-expandable or self-expanding, with different designs suited to the anatomy and pathology. While coronary arteries are the most common site, stents are also used in bile ducts, ureters, the esophagus, trachea, and other structures.

Delivery and procedure. Most stents are placed via catheter-based procedures, such as percutaneous coronary intervention for arteries or endoscopic or radiologic techniques for nonvascular ducts. The goal is to restore and maintain patency with minimal risk to the patient. Post-procedure care often includes anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy, particularly after coronary stenting, to reduce the risk of clot formation.

Complications and considerations. Possible risks include vessel injury, stent thrombosis, restenosis, stent fracture or migration, and infection. Selection of stent type and duration of therapy depend on the anatomical site, underlying disease, and patient factors.