Coronary Stent

stent coronario
A coronary artery stent is a small tube of metal mesh that expands inside an artery of the heart. A stent is often placed during or immediately after angioplasty and helps prevent the artery from closing again. A drug-eluting stent contains a permanent medication that helps prevent the artery from closing in the long term.

 

What types of stent are there?
There are different types of Stent, but basically they can be classified into 3 categories:
1. Conventional stent, usually made of steel or chrome-cobalt. They are the simplest and most economical, but they have the disadvantage that there is a risk of re-obstruction or restenosis. During a month it is necessary to administer together two antiplatelet drugs (for example, aspirin and clopidogrel or similar), to prevent the Stent from coagulating (Stent thrombosis).

2. Pharmacoactive stent, coated with antiproliferative drugs. It provides the same structural support as conventional stents, but also slowly releases a drug that minimizes the risk of re-clogging. They are more expensive than conventional ones and usually require treatment with two antiplatelet agents for a longer time.
Bioabsorbable drug-eluting stents. They are similar to the previous ones, but the structure of the Stent is formed by a material that with time is reabsorbed and completely disappear from the wall of the coronary artery. Although they are already used in clinical practice, they have some limitations that can only be used in very specific cases.
Conventional stent, usually made of steel or chrome-cobalt. They are the simplest and most economical, but they have the disadvantage that there is a risk of re-obstruction or restenosis. During a month it is necessary to administer together two antiplatelet drugs (for example, aspirin and clopidogrel or similar), to prevent the Stent from coagulating (Stent thrombosis).

  3.  Pharmacoactive stent, coated with antiproliferative drugs. It provides the same structural support as conventional stents, but also slowly releases a drug that minimizes the risk of re-clogging. They are more expensive than conventional ones and usually require treatment with two antiplatelet agents for a longer time.
    Bioabsorbable drug-eluting stents. They are similar to the previous ones, but the structure of the Stent is formed by a material that with time is reabsorbed and completely disappear from the wall of the coronary artery. Although they are already used in clinical practice, they have some limitations that can only be used in very specific cases.