Each year, around two million Americans have a coronary stent placed. It's a standard procedure that the experienced cardiologists at Heart One Associates recommend to people with coronary artery disease to keep a healthy blood supply flowing to their heart. Find out more or schedule a consultation at one of the convenient west valley locations in Peoria, Buckeye, and Phoenix, Arizona. Call today or use the online booking tool.
A coronary stent is a wire mesh tube that your provider at Heart One Associates inserts into a clogged artery to restore blood flow to the heart. There are two types of coronary stents — bare-metal stents and drug-eluting stents.
Drug-eluting stents have a polymer coating that releases a drug to prevent tissue scarring in the artery lining. Bare-metal stents have no polymer coating, which makes them suitable for people with allergies.
A stent is a permanent device; once inserted, it remains in place for life. After several years, the artery walls grow over the stent, making it part of the artery itself.
Coronary stents open up blocked or narrowed coronary arteries. You might need a stent if you experience any of the following:
If your provider at Heart One Associates believes that a coronary stent is appropriate for you, they talk you through the procedure and explain your options so that you can feel confident about the next steps in your treatment program.
When fitting your coronary stent, your provider places the stent over a catheter — a long, thin tube with a balloon tip. They numb the treatment area, and then, using ultrasound or live X-rays to guide them, they insert the tube into the artery until it reaches the blockage.
Once inside, your provider inflates the balloon to expand the stent. When the stent — and the artery — is at the desired size, your doctor deflates the balloon and removes it.
It's normal to feel pressure at the catheter-insertion point, and some people report feeling mild discomfort when the balloon inflates.
After the procedure, your doctor may prescribe blood-clot reduction medication.
A stent doesn't cure coronary artery disease. To reduce the risk of complications, here are some ways you can practice heart health preventive care.
Coronary stent insertion is a straightforward and successful procedure. If you'd like to know more, call Heart One Associates to schedule a consultation or click the online booking tool today.
