Peripheral Stents
Why is
the doctor performing this procedure?
To open up a
peripheral artery that is narrowed or blocked by plaque build-up
(atherosclerosis), and to structurally support that opening by permanently
placing a metal stent within the artery.
What
is the procedure?
A stent is a
mesh-like metal cylinder. Stent placement is often part of a PTA
(angioplasty) procedure. As in angioplasty, a catheter is inserted into an
artery—usually in the groin—but sometimes in the arm or wrist.
The catheter is advanced to the blocked peripheral artery, and a series of
x-ray pictures are taken to clearly visualize the artery that is narrowed.
Then a balloon-tipped catheter is advanced into the narrowed artery. Inside
the artery, the balloon is inflated and deflated several times, compressing
the plaque against the artery wall and widening the artery so blood flow
improves. This balloon-tipped catheter is removed, and a separate
balloon-tipped catheter, with a stent attached, is advanced to the area
that was just opened. The balloon is inflated, expanding the stent into the
inner layer of the artery. The balloon is removed, but the stent stays in
place, acting as a scaffold to keep the artery open. The inner lining of
the artery will then heal around the stent.
X-ray
pictures are repeated, and if the stent has been successfully placed, the
catheters are removed. Pressure is applied to the puncture site (to stop
bleeding) while the patient rests quietly.
Where
is the procedure performed?
In the
Catheterization Lab or the Interventional Radiology Suite.
How
long does this procedure take?
Angioplasty
with stent placement usually takes 1-2 hours.
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