What does stent stand for

When the doctor locates the narrowed artery, the catheter will be advanced to that location and the balloon will be inflated to open the artery. You may have some chest pain or discomfort at this point because the blood flow is temporarily blocked by the inflated balloon. Any chest discomfort or pain should go away when the balloon is deflated. However, if you notice any continued discomfort or pain, such as chest pain, neck or jaw pain, back pain, arm pain, shortness of breath, or breathing trouble, tell your doctor right away.

The doctor may inflate and deflate the balloon several times. The decision may be made at this point to put in a stent to keep the artery open. In some cases, the stent may be put into the artery before the balloon is inflated. Then the inflation of the balloon will open the artery and fully expand the stent.

The doctor will take measurements, pictures, or angiograms after the artery has been opened. Once it has been determined that the artery is opened sufficiently, the catheter will be removed. The sheath or introducer is taken out and the insertion site may be closed with a closure device that uses collagen to seal the opening in the artery, by the use of sutures, or by applying manual pressure over the area to keep the blood vessel from bleeding.

Your doctor will decide which method is best for you. If a closure device is used, a sterile dressing will be applied to the site. If manual pressure is used, the doctor or an assistant will hold pressure on the insertion site so that a clot will form on the outside of the blood vessel to prevent bleeding.

Once the bleeding has stopped, a very tight bandage will be placed on the site. Staff will help you slide from the table onto a stretcher so that you can be taken to the recovery area. NOTE: If the insertion was in the groin, you will not be allowed to bend your leg for several hours.

If the insertion site was in the arm, your arm will be kept elevated on pillows and kept straight by placing your arm in an arm guard a plastic arm board designed to immobilize the elbow joint. In addition, a plastic band that works like a belt around the waist may be secured around your arm near the insertion site. The band will be loosened at given intervals and then removed when your doctor decides the pressure is no longer needed.

After the procedure, you may be taken to the recovery room for observation or returned to your hospital room. You will stay flat in bed for several hours after the procedure. A nurse will monitor your vital signs, the insertion site, and circulation and sensation in the affected leg or arm. Tell your nurse right away if you feel any chest pain or tightness, or any other pain, as well as any feelings of warmth, bleeding, or pain at the insertion site.

Bed rest may vary from 2 to 6 hours depending on your specific condition. If your doctor placed a closure device, your bed rest may be shorter. In some cases, the sheath or introducer may be left in the insertion site.

If so, the bedrest will be last until the sheath is removed. After the sheath is removed, you may be given a light meal. You may feel the urge to urinate often because of the effects of the contrast dye and increased fluids.

You will need to use a bedpan or urinal while on bed rest so that your affected leg or arm will not be bent. After the specified period of bed rest has been completed, you may get out of bed.

The nurse will help you the first time you get up, and will check your blood pressure while you are lying in bed, sitting, and standing. You should move slowly when getting up to avoid any dizziness from the long period of bed rest. You may be given pain medicine for pain or discomfort at the insertion site or from having to lie flat and still for a long time.

You will be encouraged to drink water and other fluids to help flush the contrast dye from your body. You will most likely spend the night in the hospital after your procedure. Depending on your condition and the results of your procedure, your stay may be longer. You will get detailed instructions for your discharge and recovery period.

Once at home, monitor the insertion site for bleeding, unusual pain, swelling, abnormal discoloration, or temperature change. A small bruise is normal.

If you notice a constant or large amount of blood at the site that can't be contained with a small dressing, tell your healthcare team. If your doctor used a closure device at your insertion site, you will be given specific information regarding the type of closure device that was used and how to take care of the site.

There will be a small knot, or lump, under the skin at the site. This is normal. The knot should slowly disappear over a few weeks. It will be important to keep the insertion site clean and dry. Your healthcare team will give you specific bathing instructions. In general, don't use a bathtub or hot tub or go swimming until the skin has healed. You may be advised not to participate in any strenuous activities. Your healthcare team will instruct you about when you can return to work and resume normal activities.

Your doctor may give you other instructions after the procedure, depending on your particular situation. Health Home Treatments, Tests and Therapies. Stents Coronary stents are now used in nearly all angioplasty procedures. The surgeon will discuss the procedure with a person in advance, but it can help to know what to expect. A doctor will advise individuals on how they should prepare for a stent procedure. They will give them information on when to stop eating and drinking, as well as when to start or stop taking medications before the procedure.

Anyone who has any other health conditions, such as diabetes or kidney disease, must tell their doctor. The doctor may then have to consider some additional steps. Doctors may also give the person prescriptions to fill before having the stent inserted, as they will need to start taking the medications as soon as the procedure is complete.

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute , a stent procedure only takes about an hour and does not require general anesthesia. The person remains awake during the entire process so can hear any instructions the doctors may have.

Doctors will administer medication to help the person relax. They will also numb the area where they insert the catheter. Most people do not feel the catheter threading through the artery.

They may, however, feel a bit of pain as the balloon expands and pushes the stent into place. After placing the stent, doctors deflate the balloon and remove the catheter. They bandage the area where the catheter entered the skin and put pressure on the bandage to help prevent bleeding. Most people will need to stay in the hospital for at least one night after having the procedure. This allows hospital staff to monitor the person. They may also change the dressings or clean the wound.

As the insertion site heals, it will bruise and may develop into a small knot of tissue, which is normal. The area may remain tender for at least a week. Many people may be able to return to work and most normal activities within a week of a successful stent surgery. During recovery, doctors will prescribe antiplatelet drugs to help prevent blood clots from forming near the stent. Aspirin is an antiplatelet drug that a person will need to take daily for an indefinite period after having a stent inserted.

Doctors may also recommend a drug called a P2Y inhibitor. P2Y inhibitors include clopidogrel, ticagrelor, and prasugrel. They will also provide the person with special recovery instructions, such as avoiding strenuous work or exercise while the body heals. Most stents remain in the artery permanently to keep it open and prevent collapse and potentially life-threatening complications.

Some stents are temporary. Doctors may use stents coated in particular medications that help break down plaque or prevent it from building up in the area. These stents will dissolve over time. While a stent may relieve symptoms, such as chest pain, it is not a cure for other underlying issues, such as atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease.

Your doctor may recommend another procedure instead of a carotid stent if you are over age 70, as the risk of complications, including stroke, may be higher. Stent grafts may be riskier for older patients or those with conditions such as renal failure or heart failure. For all procedures, your doctor will consider your health, talk to you about the risks, and make a decision with you and your family. An airway stent may not be recommended in the following circumstances: You cannot have anesthesia or sedation.

You need future procedures. Some lung procedures, such as laser therapy, can break or burn the stent. The stent can also get in the way if your lung requires surgery for other reasons.

Before Getting a Stent will discuss the conditions that these devices treat. Before Getting a Stent - Stents. Diagnostic tests and procedures. To diagnose narrowed arteries or an aortic aneurysm, your doctor may have you undergo some of the following tests and procedures: Chest magnetic resonance imaging MRI to look for aneurysms in the aorta.

This test works well for detecting aneurysms and pinpointing their size and exact location. These tests may give your doctor more information about the flow of blood and whether arteries are narrowed or have aneurysms.

Coronary angiography to see how blood flows through your coronary arteries. This type of test involves injecting dye into your blood so that your blood vessels can be seen by X-ray. Fractional flow reserve can help determine how narrow the artery is. This is an added test done during CTA or coronary angiography to check the blood pressure in a specific artery. Ultrasound to see whether plaque has narrowed or blocked your carotid or peripheral arteries or to see if you have an aneurysm and where it may be located.

This painless test uses high-energy sound waves to create pictures of the insides of your blood vessels. Echocardiography echo to evaluate the structure and function of your heart. Echocardiography uses sound waves to create moving pictures of your heart. Nuclear imaging to see whether the blood is flowing normally to the heart.

Your doctor will inject a tracer substance that will show whether the heart is receiving enough blood flow. To diagnose narrowed airways, your doctor may have you undergo some of the following tests and procedures: Bronchoscopy to figure out the location and severity of the narrowed airway Chest CT scan to see whether one of your airways is being affected by a tumor, pneumonia, mucus, or other problem Pulmonary function tests to measure how well your lungs are working.

Preparing for the stenting procedure. Before your procedure, you will be given detailed information, including: When you should stop eating or drinking If and when you should start or stop taking medicines When to arrive at the hospital and where to go How long you should expect to stay What happens during the procedure What to expect after the procedure, including potential complications, such as bleeding or soreness What to do after the procedure, such as what medicines to take How to live with your stent.

Living With a Stent will discuss the importance of following your treatment plan. Coronary and carotid artery stenting. The procedure to place a coronary stent is called percutaneous coronary intervention PCI , commonly known as coronary angioplasty.

Sometimes the procedure is done in an emergency, such as during a heart attack. The stent provides support to the artery after the artery is re-opened. The procedure to place a stent in the carotid artery is called carotid artery stenting. This is a minimally invasive treatment for severe carotid artery disease. Placing a stent in a coronary artery. These figures show how a stent is placed in a coronary artery that is narrowed from atherosclerotic plaque.

The first image shows the coronary arteries surrounding the heart. Then, a close-up of an artery containing plaque shows a catheter, with a balloon attached and a stent wrapped around the balloon, is directed toward the narrowed area of the artery.

The next image shows the balloon being inflated to push the artery open. The stent is opened at the same time. The final image shows the stent in the newly opened artery, after the catheter and balloon are removed. Placing a stent in a carotid artery. These images show how a stent is placed in a carotid artery. The top middle inset figure shows the location of carotid arteries in the neck. Figure A shows how plaque can narrow the carotid artery, decreasing blood flow to the brain.

Figure B shows how a catheter with a balloon and stent can be inserted into the carotid artery. Figure C shows how the stent is expanded once the artery is opened. The inset image on the left shows a cross-section of an artery containing plaque compared to the inset figure on the right, which shows a cross-section of an artery after a stent is placed. Aortic aneurysm stenting. Aortic aneurysm repair. The illustration shows the placement of a stent graft in an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

In figure A, a catheter is inserted into an artery in the upper thigh. The catheter is threaded to the abdominal aorta, and the stent graft is released from the catheter. In figure B, the stent graft is placed and allows blood to flow through the aorta. Airway stenting. Return to Who Needs It? Return to Before Getting a Stent to learn how to prepare for surgery.

After Getting a Stent - Stents. Before you leave the hospital, you will be given instructions that include: Which medicines to take. You will need to take medicine to prevent a blood clot from forming in the stent.

You may need to take other medicines for different reasons. When to resume normal physical activity. Most people are able to return to work within a few days to a week.

When to make a follow-up appointment. Your doctor will need to check on your progress and make sure there are no complications. Possible complications of the stenting procedure. These complications may include: Allergic reaction to the dye used to show the blood vessels by X-ray Arrhythmia , or an irregular heartbeat Bleeding or discomfort where the catheter was inserted Damage to blood vessels from the catheter Infection Rarely, damage to the kidney from the contrast dye More serious or life-threatening complications may occur during a stenting procedure, but these are rare.

People who have had other procedures to treat blocked arteries or who have congestive heart failure , chronic kidney disease, or diabetes, are usually at higher risk for complications, which may include: Blood flow being cut off from the gut or the lower part of the body during an aortic aneurysm repair Heart attack Rupture of the aortic aneurysm Stroke Tear in the artery Possible complications from a stenting procedure in an airway may include: Coughing up blood Sore mouth, sore throat, or hoarse voice Less common but serious complications may include: Arrhythmia Needing a tracheostomy Pneumothorax Respiratory failure Sudden cardiac arrest.

Living With a Stent will discuss possible complications of living with a stent or stent graft. Living With a Stent - Stents. Receive routine follow-up care. Discuss when you should follow up with specialists, such as a cardiologist or pulmonologist.

Take medicines to prevent complications. If you have a stent in your artery, take all medicines regularly, as your doctor prescribes. Do not change the amount of your medicine or skip a dose unless your doctor tells you to. You will need to take antiplatelet medicines, or blood thinners, to prevent blood clots from forming in the stents in your arteries.

Your doctor may prescribe these medicines for one year or more after getting a coronary stent, while it may be one month or more for carotid or peripheral artery stents. Antiplatelet medicines include aspirin, clopidogrel, dipyridamole, and ticlopidine. Bleeding is a possible side effect, which can make it much riskier to have surgery. Talk with your doctor about when you can resume normal physical activity. It will depend on the stent and your condition before the stent procedure.

Monitor your condition. This may include: Bronchoscopy to check an airway stent about four to six weeks after placement. Chest X-ray or CT scan to look for signs of any complications from an airway stent.

CT angiograph CTA or ultrasound to make sure a stent graft placed to treat an aortic aneurysm is not leaking or has moved. You will likely need imaging about one month after your procedure. If a leak or other problem is detected, you may need imaging tests again after six months or one year to check it. If there is a bad leak, more surgery may be needed.

Your stent graft will need to be monitored by imaging throughout your life. Referring you to a specialist if you have signs or symptoms related to your condition. Regular general exams to check overall physical and mental health. Make healthy lifestyle changes. Aiming for a healthy weight Being physically active Heart-healthy eating Managing stress Quitting smoking. Learn the warning signs of coronary or carotid stent complications and have a plan.

Watch for signs or symptoms of complications from a coronary stent, carotid stent, or stent graft, including: Blood clotting. A blood clot is an uncommon but serious complication that can occur within the stent. Your risk of getting a blood clot is much higher if you stop taking your blood thinners before your doctor says to do so.

Blood clots can lead to life-threatening conditions, such as heart attack, stroke, and venous thromboembolism. Chest pain. This can be a symptom of restenosis, in which the artery where a stent is located closes up again.

Restenosis is a common complication because of too much tissue growth within the portion of the artery where the stent is placed. It can lead to a heart attack if your stent is in a coronary artery. In this case, a symptom of restenosis may be chest pain. If it happens in other arteries, restenosis may or may not cause symptoms. If restenosis occurs, you will need another procedure, such as one that involves both angioplasty and possibly placing another drug-eluting stent.

Stent or stent graft failure. Occasionally stents may break within a peripheral artery. Rarely, a stent graft used to repair an aortic aneurysm or dissection may move from where it was placed.

Blood may also leak out of the graft. Symptoms may be similar to those you experienced before getting a stent, or you may have no symptoms. Your doctor will use imaging to monitor the stent graft. Heart attack signs and symptoms include: Mild or severe chest pain or discomfort in the center of the chest or upper abdomen that lasts for more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back.

It can feel like pressure, squeezing, fullness, heartburn, or indigestion. Nausea, vomiting, light-headedness or fainting, or breaking out in a cold sweat.