Question 1

Why has my doctor recommended stenting?

Accepted Answer

or heart stent surgery is recommended when an artery begins to narrow or has already narrowed due to the formation of cholesterol-based plaque. With stent placement or coronary angioplasty, the artery can be widened to resume the flow of nutrition and oxygen-rich blood to the heart.

Question 2

What is an angiogram?

Accepted Answer

angiogram is a process in which an X-ray is used to take a picture of your blood vessels. A contrast-based dye is injected into your blood vessels to make the arteries visible in the X-ray scans.

Question 3

What is angioplasty?

Accepted Answer

is a procedure in which a cardiologist inserts a stent in the blocked or narrowed region of the artery to resume blood flow. Angioplasty is generally used for removing blockages in the heart, lungs, trachea, brain, liver and kidneys.

Question 4

What is the stent for?

Accepted Answer

stent is a small tube, built to keep the walls of the affected region of your artery open. Stents are generally made of an alloy of aluminium, nickel and steel. Some types of stents are also made of bio-substances. These stents tend to dissolve in the body after their purpose is served.

Question 5

How do I prepare for stenting?

Accepted Answer

consulting cardiologist will give you a complete set of instructions before you arrive for your heart stent surgery.

Question 6

Will the stent be in forever?

Accepted Answer

metal stents are designed to remain in your body forever while stents made of Bio-absorbable polymers are designed to get absorbed into the body after a certain period.

Question 7

How are bio-absorbable polymers absorbed?

Accepted Answer

bio-absorbable polymers are made of polyacid, which is a dissolvable medicinal substance used for medicinal sutures. These bio-absorbable polymer stents tend to disintegrate into water and carbon dioxide through naturally occurring processes.

Question 8

Can I undergo an MRI with a stent?

Accepted Answer

you can undergo an MRI after undergoing heart stent surgery. However, it is advised that you inform your consulting doctor and imaging technician about the stent or you can show them your implant card.

Question 9

Will the stent set off metal detectors?

Accepted Answer

bare-metal stents and bioabsorbable polymer stents do not activate metal detectors. So, it is safe for you to walk through a metal detector after undergoing coronary angioplasty.

Question 10

How serious is the heart stent placement procedure?

Accepted Answer

a stent may result in blood clotting at the site, which may further increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, a small percentage of people who have stented arteries may develop a blood clot near the stent. Therefore, doctors usually prescribe one or more drugs to prevent the formation of blood clots. Anti-clotting medications don’t come without any risks but may lead to side effects like irritation or rashes. In certain rare cases, the body might reject the stent or develop an allergic reaction to the material in the stent. So, before proceeding with the stenting procedure, you will need to inform the doctor about any known reactions to metals and talk about other alternatives.

Question 11

How is a stent placement performed?

Accepted Answer

stent can be inserted in several ways. Generally, the process followed to insert a stent is minimally invasive. Your doctor will first make a small incision on the skin, which is usually done in the groin or arm. A catheter and specialised tools are then advanced through it into the blood vessels to reach the site that needs a stent. A camera may be attached to the end of the catheter or the tools to guide the stent. An imaging technique, called an angiogram, may also be used during the procedure to guide the stent through the blood vessel. With the specialised tools, your doctor can identify the area of the broken or blocked vessel and install the stent. Once the stent is installed, the instruments are removed from the body and the incision is closed.

Question 12

What happens after stent insertion?

Accepted Answer

stent insertion, it is normal to feel a bit of soreness at the site of the incision. It can be easily treated with mild painkillers. Your doctor may also prescribe anticoagulant medications to prevent further clotting of blood. Typically, after the procedure, you will need to stay at the hospital overnight to make sure that no complications arise. However, your stay might be longer if the stent was placed due to a coronary event, such as a stroke or heart attack. After you return home, you should drink plenty of fluids and stay away from strenuous physical activities for some time. It is recommended to follow every instruction of your doctor.

Question 13

What follow-up care is involved after the stenting procedure?

Accepted Answer

leaving the hospital, you have to take the medications as prescribed and make a few lifestyle changes, such as exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, quitting smoking, etc. Follow-up visits with your doctor, interventional cardiologist or another qualified specialist are essential. These visits allow your interventional cardiologist to examine the site where the catheter was inserted and make sure that it is healing the right way. Your doctor may also order an exercise stress test for you, three to six weeks after the procedure. Depending on that, the appropriate level of activity will be recommended for you. You may be enrolled in a supervised cardiac rehabilitation programme to reduce the chances and risk factors related to more blocked arteries in the future.

Question 14

Can you live a normal life with a stent?

Accepted Answer

you can live a normal, healthy and active life with a coronary stent. Some of the general guidelines that you need to follow are mentioned below. 13; Lifestyle changes: Although the coronary stent does restore proper blood flow to the heart, it is still necessary to switch to healthy diet choices, increase physical activity levels and quit smoking. 13; Work-life: You can return to your normal work life within a few days of the procedure. However, it is better to talk to your doctor and decide what is right for you. 13; Physical activity: Your doctor might suggest physical activities you can do after the procedure or resume any sports or exercises you used to do. 13; Carrying your stent implant card: Keeping your stent implant card with you at all times is important. The card contains your name, your doctor’s name and phone number, and other information about the implanted stent. 13;

Heart Stents