STENTS James Simones

History Balloon Angioplasty introduced in the late 70’s Approximately 30% would close up after Some so severe that the artery would collapse and the patient would die Emergency bypass surgery It wasn’t until the 80’s that stents were used to combat this problem

Delivery There are two methods of administering stents The self-expanding Balloon mounted The self-expanding Balloon mounted

Drug Eluting Stents A pharmacologic agent it applied to prevent restenosis The drug is released anywhere from a few days to months This inhibits the bodies natural inflammatory and healing response After the drug has dissipated it is just like the conventional metal stent Cuts restenosis back from 20-30% to about 5%

Anti-Clotting Agents With traumatic work on the vasculature there is bound to be a healing response from the body This is to be avoided to reduce the risk of restenosis Anti-clotting agents, such as Plavix, are prescribed for up to 6 months after the procedure. Aspirin is also taken daily Anti-clotting agents are used longer with drug-eluting stents to avoid rebound problems once the drug has dissipated

Interesting Factoid A study of 12 years of research ( ) found that there was no correlation between stents and longer patient survival when compared to angioplasty alone. The patients did have fewer interventions but the average mortality rate was still 20% over 7 years. The patients did have fewer interventions but the average mortality rate was still 20% over 7 years.

Reasoning According to Duke University’s David Kandzari, MD, the reason the patients don’t live longer is because there is still plaque there and plaque in other vessels that can’t be treated. When it comes down to it a heart attack is an occlusion from a plaque burst. On the bright side there is a lower number of visits to the beautiful and cozy cath lab