Coronary Stents
Coronary stents help correct blockages in the coronary arteries. In most cases, the patient is discharged between 24 and 48 hours after the stent placement.
Coronary Stents are usually necessary when there is an atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. When this disease is present, the patients the coronary circulation fails because of wall thickening in the artery walls as a result of fatty material build up, such as cholesterol. This condition can cause angina pectoris or myocardial infarction.
There are very efficient medications, but sometimes it is necessary to resolve the problem with differently:
- With surgery, connecting to the coronary arteries other conduits that bay pass the blocked area. This is what it is known as Bypass Surgery.
- With coronary angioplasty. In most cases, a coronary stent is placed.
The stents are metallic devices that are introduced in the coronary arteries and act by expanding the circulation flow and pushing aside the blockage.
¿How is a stent implanted?
Thru an angioplasty performed without general anesthesia. The angioplasty consists in introducing a balloon in the femoral artery. By inflating the balloon, the blocked area expands and the blood flows normally. After that, a coronary stent is placed.
Stent types
- Conventional stents. Usually made from steel or chrome-cobalt.
- Medication covered stents or medication releasing stents. Provides the same structural support than conventional stents, but it is also designed to slowly release an exact dose of medicine, this way helping to prevent restenosis. The medication acts by limiting the excessive growth in the arteries tissue.
It is recommended in patients with an acute myocardial infarction.
When coronary stents are implanted by highly experience doctors, like the ones on staff in Centro Medico Excel, it allows for a very safe and successful treatment in patients with complex coronary disease or with problems in several arteries. In some cases, this can even eliminate the need for open heart surgery.
