A Closer Look at the Heart Stent Procedure

Heart disease is a common health issues in modern society. As medical technology continues to evolve to enhance treatment options. One major breakthrough is the development of procedures to open blockages in the heart's blood vessels using balloons or stents. This procedure has become a lifesaver for many individuals with blockages in their coronary arteries.

What is a Heart Stent?

A heart stent is a small tube-shaped medical device, similar to a spring that you find inside a pen. It is typically made from specialized woven metals, such as platinum or cobalt chromium, and is coated with medication to optimize its integration with the walls of blood vessels.

The stent is placed within the coronary arteries to help keep them open and maintain smooth blood flow. When the coronary arteries become significantly blocked or narrowed due to plaque buildup, stent placement can help expand the artery and increase blood flow to the heart.

The Heart Stent Placement Procedure

The heart stent placement procedure, also known as coronary angioplasty, is usually performed in a cardiac catheterization lab using fluoroscopic guidance (continuous X-ray imaging that provides real-time video). Here are the main steps involved in this procedure:

1. Patient Preparation

Patients are required to fast for 4–6 hours before the procedure. The groin or wrist area will be cleaned and sterilized.

2. Catheter Insertion

The doctor inserts a thin catheter into a blood vessel, usually in the groin or wrist, and carefully guides it through the blood vessels until it reaches the blocked coronary artery.

3. Angiography

A special contrast dye is injected through the catheter into the coronary artery. This dye makes the blood vessels visible on fluoroscopy, allowing the doctor to identify the location and severity of the blockage.

4. Balloon Expansion

A small balloon attached to the end of the catheter is inflated inside the coronary artery to widen the blocked area.

5. Stent placement

After the artery is widened, the stent—initially in a collapsed state—is delivered to the narrowed section. Once in position, a balloon inside the stent is inflated, causing the stent to expand and press against the artery walls. The stent remains permanently in place, ensuring the artery stays open and maintains proper blood flow.

6. Completion and Recovery

Once the stent is in position, the catheter is removed and pressure is applied to the insertion site (groin or wrist) to prevent bleeding. The patient is then monitored for several hours to ensure there are no complications.

7. Healing and Adaptation of the Stent

Within one to three months after placement, the stent becomes covered with a layer of normal endothelial cells from the heart's blood vessels, allowing it to blend in and function as a natural part of the coronary artery.

The heart stent placement procedure usually takes about one to two hours, though the exact duration may vary based on the complexity of the case. Afterwards, patients often experience significant improvement in symptoms, such as chest pain or shortness of breath.

Heart stent placement has become an effective and efficient treatment for patients with coronary artery disease, eliminating the need for open surgery. With the right technology and care, this procedure can lead to positive outcomes and significantly improve a patient's quality of life. If you or a family member are experiencing symptoms of heart disease, it's important to see a doctor as soon as possible for evaluation and appropriate treatment.

Reference:

1. Widodo, Wishnu Aditya. A Closer Look at the Heart Stent Procedure. Interview, September 2022.
2. Mayo Clinic. Coronary angioplasty and stents. (https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/coronary-angioplasty/about/pac-20384761). Accessed on 13 September 2022.
3. Cleveland Clinic. Angioplasty: Procedure, Types & Recovery. (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22060-angioplasty). Accessed on 13 September 2022.
4. StatPearls. Percutaneous Coronary Intervention. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556123/). Accessed on 13 September 2022.
5. American Heart Association. What is a Stent?. (https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/treatment-of-a-heart-attack/stent). Accessed on 13 September 2022.
6. StatPearls. Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535417/). Accessed on 13 September 2022.
7. Cleveland Clinic. Cardiac Catheterization: Procedure & Recovery. (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/16832-cardiac-catheterization). Accessed on 13 September 2022.
8. Mayo Clinic. Coronary artery stent. (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronary-artery-disease/multimedia/coronary-artery-stent/img-20006378). Accessed on 13 September 2022.