koronarstent

Koronarstent is a small, expandable mesh tube, typically made of metal, used to treat narrowed or blocked coronary arteries. These arteries supply blood to the heart muscle. Narrowing or blockage, often caused by atherosclerosis (plaque buildup), can lead to conditions like angina or myocardial infarction (heart attack).

The procedure to implant a coronary stent is called percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), also commonly known as angioplasty. It involves inserting a thin, flexible tube called a catheter into a blood vessel, usually in the arm or groin, and guiding it to the blocked coronary artery. A balloon is then inflated at the site of the blockage, compressing the plaque against the artery wall. The stent, which is mounted on a deflated balloon, is then expanded by inflating the balloon, pushing the stent into place. Once the balloon is deflated and removed, the stent remains in the artery, acting as a scaffold to keep the artery open.

Most coronary stents used today are drug-eluting stents (DES). These stents are coated with medication that is slowly released over time to prevent scar tissue formation and reduce the risk of restenosis, or re-narrowing of the artery. Bare-metal stents (BMS) are also available but are used less frequently.

Following stent implantation, patients are typically prescribed antiplatelet medications to prevent blood clots from forming on the stent. Regular follow-up with a cardiologist is important to monitor the success of the procedure and manage overall cardiovascular health.