Coronary Stent Specialist

What is a coronary stent?

A coronary stent is a small metal mesh tube that keeps your coronary artery open to improve the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your heart. 

Cardiologists place the coronary stent after performing angioplasty, which is the procedure that opens up a narrowed or blocked artery.

A drug-eluting coronary stent contains a medication that prevents the artery from closing. 

Who needs a coronary stent?

You may need a coronary stent if you have a blockage or severe narrowing in one or more of your coronary arteries. These arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to your heart. 

When you have narrowing or blockage in your coronary arteries, you have a condition called coronary artery disease. The team may recommend the placement of a coronary stent if your coronary artery disease places you at risk of having a heart attack or going into heart failure.

They may also suggest stent placement if you have severe angina — a type of chest pain that occurs during exercise — that fails to improve with medication. 

What happens during coronary stent placement?

The team at Cardiac Care Consultants places a coronary stent during or immediately after they perform angioplasty. During angioplasty, your cardiologist inserts a catheter in a blood vessel in your leg and advances it towards the blocked artery.

Once at the right spot, your cardiologist expands a balloon placed at the tip of the catheter to open the blood vessel. They may place the coronary stent on the balloon and expand it into place during inflation of the balloon. Or, your cardiologist may place the coronary stent after they open the artery. 

After placement of the coronary stent, your cardiologist removes the catheter and sends you to the recovery area for monitoring. You may spend up to two days in the hospital following angioplasty and coronary stent placement. 

How long is recovery after placement of a coronary stent?

Recovery time following coronary stent placement varies. However, most patients are back to their usual activities within a week. 

Your coronary stent may prevent the need for bypass surgery, which is a more invasive procedure for the treatment of coronary artery disease. The team recommends you eat a heart-healthy diet and get regular exercise to prevent further narrowing or blockages in your arteries.

Call Cardiac Care Consultants, or schedule your coronary stent consultation online today.