After the balloon is deflated, the stent is then placed in the newly opened area of the artery. The stent is left in place to help keep the artery open and improve blood flow.
There are different types of stents available, including bare-metal stents, drug-eluting stents, and Coronary Stents. Bare-metal stents are made of a metal mesh and do not have any medication coating. Drug-eluting stents have a coating of medication that is slowly released to help prevent the artery from re-narrowing. Bioabsorbable stents are made of a biodegradable material and are designed to dissolve over time.
Stents are generally considered safe and effective for improving blood flow to the heart in patients with narrowed or blocked coronary arteries. However, there are some risks associated with the procedure, including bleeding, infection, and damage to the blood vessel.
