What is a stent?

A stent is a mesh tube that is implanted into an artery that has become narrow or weak. Arteries carry blood away from the heart. Weak or narrow arteries can sometimes burst. Stents allow blood to flow more freely from the heart to other parts of the body by supporting the walls of the artery.

Stents can be made from metal or fabric. Some stents are coated with drugs that are released into the blood vessel to help improve the condition further. Although stents sometimes fail, or the artery becomes narrow or blocked again, failing to treat a diseased artery can increase risk for further complications such as diabetes or renal failure.

Stents are placed in arteries during a procedure called a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), or a coronary angioplasty, in which a surgeon inserts a small balloon to open the artery and implant a stent.

Stents are frequently placed in the carotid arteries, which are in the neck, but they may also be placed in arteries near vital organs or in the limbs. Doctors also can use a stent to treat a tear in the aorta or an aneurysm.

Following the implantation of a stent, a doctor will prescribe medicine to prevent blood clotting. Patients should also be cautious about exercise for some time and return to the doctor regularly for imaging tests and evaluations.

Weak or narrow arteries are frequently the result of poor lifestyle habits like lack of exercise or an unhealthy diet. After undergoing PCI, patients are encouraged to develop healthy habits to avoid recurrence of blocked or damaged arteries.

Additional information may be found at these websites:

https://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heartpublic/@wcm/@hcm/documents/downloadable/ucm_300452.pdf

http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/angioplasty/basics/definition/prc-20014401

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/stents