A coronary stent is a small, mesh-like tube, usually composed of metal, used to treat coronary artery disease, which affects the blood channels that carry oxygen and nutrients to the heart. These blockages, which are frequently brought on by atherosclerosis, a buildup of plaque, can result in angina (chest pain), heart attacks, or other serious cardiac problems. A typical technique to relieve symptoms and restore cardiac blood flow is the implantation of a coronary stent. Percutaneous coronary intervention, often known as coronary angioplasty, is the process of implanting a stent. Usually, a cardiac catheterization lab is used for the procedure. A local anesthetic is administered to the patient during this treatment in order to numb the area—typically the groin or wrist—where the catheter will be placed. Next, using X-ray guidance, a thin, flexible tube known as a catheter is inserted into an artery and progressed to the coronary arteries.The little balloon at the tip of the catheter is inflated once it has reached the blockage. By forcing the plaque up against the artery walls, this inflation widens the artery and increases blood flow. There is a chance that the artery will close up once more when the balloon is taken out and deflated. This is the application of the stent. The deflated balloon is surrounded by the collapsible stent, which is then placed where the obstruction is. The stent swells when the balloon is inflated, pressing it up against the arterial walls to hold them open. The stent remains in situ as a scaffold to maintain the artery open after the balloon is deflated and removed. The stent becomes covered in endothelial cells as a result of the body's natural healing process, which lowers the chance of re-narrowing. There are several varieties of coronary stents, such as drug-eluting stents (DES) and bare-metal stents (BMS). Drug-eluting stents are covered with drugs that help stop the artery from narrowing again, whereas bare-metal stents are just plain metal scaffolds. The location of the blockage, the patient's health, and the doctor's preference all play a role in the stent selection process. Patients are typically observed for a little time following the treatment to make sure there are no problems. In order to lower their risk of restenosis and avoid blood clots, they might need to take medication. A coronary stent might be a useful treatment to increase cardiac blood flow and lessen coronary artery disease symptoms if it is used properly.
