Risk of death during stent procedure

Find a Doctor Make an Appointment

What is a stent and what is its function?

A stent is a small mesh tube made of either stainless steel or cobalt chromium alloys that is placed by a catheter into a narrowed (blocked) coronary artery.

How do they check to see if you need a stent

The stent helps enlarge a segment of the artery to improve blood flow, which should reduce or eliminate symptoms of chest pain. Stent technology is continually developing so we now use stents coated with medication which helps prevent the stent from clogging and narrowing (a process called restenosis).

Who needs a stent?

Stents are used to reduce symptoms in patients with obstructive artery disease who suffer chest pain/tightness or shortness of breath that might be experienced with exercise or during periods of strong emotions.

Stents may be used instead of bypass surgery in some selected patients. Diabetic patients with multiple coronary blockages may do better with bypass surgery.

What is the stenting procedure?

Stents are placed during a coronary angiogram.

A small tube called a balloon cat

when is a kidney stent needed

when is a stent not needed