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Stents are plastic or metal tubes that act as a scaffold to expand diseased blood vessels. Stents are placed to prevent vasoconstriction in case of ischemic heart disease. What are the different types of stents and are there any complications after the procedure?
What are stents?
Stents are called vascular prostheses, usually made of plastic or metal. The widest application of stents has been found in cardiology in the treatment of coronary artery disease or in patients after a heart attack. The stent is inserted through a blood vessel, radial arteries in the lower or upper limb, or through a femoral vessel. The stent implantation procedure takes place in the hemodynamics laboratory, which in turn exposes the patient to ionizing radiation. Stents are also used in angiology for the treatment of vascular aneurysms and vascular stenosis in the brain or in the peripheral circulation.
Stents – types
There are 3 basic types of stents, including:
- classic metal BMS stents – otherwise known as metal stent grafts. Before the implantation of this type of stent, the blood vessels must first be widened using the so-called balloon hearts;
- DES-impregnated stents are so-called vascular stents that release drugs. These drugs include: sirolimus, everolimus and heparin;
- BVS bioresorbable stents – i.e. self-absorbing, biodegradable stents. Currently, they are more and more often available and used in cardiology. Their action does not differ from traditional stents, but after some time they are absorbed by the endothelium of the treated vessel. BSV stents are soluble.
Stents – what does the procedure look like?
A stent implantation is a procedure that uses a small balloon to properly position the tube. A balloon-tipped coil is inserted into the artery, the balloon is expanded and the coil is removed. The stent is properly positioned, and the atherosclerotic plaque that prevented proper blood flow is crushed. This allows the blood vessel to become open again. The stent implantation procedure takes approximately 30 minutes. After the procedure, the patient must lie down and cannot take any food or liquids for several hours.
Stents – possible complications
The procedure of introducing stents into the blood vessels is a procedure in which a foreign body is introduced into the body. This creates the possibility of complications. The most common undesirable side effects of stenting are:
- visualization of hematomas and aneurysms;
- headaches;
- pressure fluctuations;
- nausea;
- bleeding;
- vasculitis;
- thrombosis;
- artery damage;
- chronic occlusion of the coronary artery;
- rupture of the stent
Taking medications after stenting
Patients after stenting surgery usually take acetylsalicylic acid. Its use is justified by the fact that it reduces the risk of cardiovascular complications. The implantation of stents into blood vessels is also associated with the intake of thienopyridine derivatives, e.g. clopidogrel. This drug inhibits platelet aggregation, which is the deposition of blood on the walls of blood vessels. Antiplatelet therapy is usually performed 6 to 12 months after the stenting procedure.
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