Procedures and Varieties of Stent Implantation: Techniques, Potential Complications, and Healing Processes
Stent placement is a common medical procedure used to maintain the flow of fluids in various parts of the body. Here's a breakdown of different types of stents, their uses, and potential symptoms and complications.
Coronary Artery Stent (Heart Stent)
Coronary stents help keep the arteries leading to the heart muscle open. They are typically made of metal mesh or drug-eluting stents that release medication. Common risks and symptoms include bleeding at the catheter insertion site, allergic reactions to contrast dye, irregular heartbeat during or after the procedure, and blood clots forming inside the stent, especially in the first few months post-operation.
Patients may also experience restenosis (re-narrowing of the artery), typically 6–12 months after placement, which can cause recurrence of chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, and fatigue with exertion. Additional symptoms related to the initial coronary artery blockage treated by the stent include chest discomfort, tightness, pressure, squeezing, burning, or aching sensations that can radiate to the jaw, shoulders, arms, or back.
Carotid Artery Stent
Carotid artery stents help treat carotid artery disease and may be made of metal mesh or drug-eluting stents. Although direct symptom details are not in the results, carotid stenting generally carries risks of stroke or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) due to embolization or restenosis, which could manifest as sudden weakness, numbness, speech difficulties, or visual disturbances.
Ureteral Stent
Ureteral stents help keep the ureter open and allow normal urine flow. They are typically made of soft, flexible plastic. Although the search did not provide direct results on ureteral stent symptoms, common symptoms from ureteral stents (based on general medical knowledge) include urinary frequency, urgency, discomfort or pain in the flank, hematuria (blood in urine), and sometimes infections. Patients often report lower abdominal discomfort and irritation during urination following the placement.
Venous Stents (e.g., Iliac or Femoral Vein)
Symptoms post venous stent placement can include progressive limb swelling, heaviness, fatigue, sensation of tightness, and varicosities due to chronic venous hypertension if complications occur such as stent migration or restenosis.
Other Types of Stents
- Prostatic stents widen the urethra and are used for an enlarged prostate.
- Esophageal stents help keep the esophagus open and are typically made of metal or plastic.
- Biliary stents help open blocked bile ducts.
- Airway stents help keep air passages open and may be made of silicone, nitinol, stainless steel, or hybrid stents.
- Peripheral vascular stents help keep the peripheral arteries open and may be made of mesh or stent grafts.
General Procedure and Recovery
Stent placement procedures are often minimally invasive and may only require a local anesthetic or intravenous sedative. They are usually an outpatient procedure, but some people may need to stay overnight in the hospital for monitoring. Common symptoms and complications vary depending on the type of stent placement.
Doctors will monitor vital signs, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels, throughout all stent placement procedures. Careful follow-up and adherence to prescribed medications (e.g., blood thinners for coronary stents) are important to minimize these risks.
People may be able to return to work within a few days or a week after their stent placement. However, it's crucial to make sure to monitor their condition, make healthy lifestyle choices, and attend regular checkups to help prevent complications after having a stent placement.
If people have had a stent in an artery, they may need to take medications such as aspirin or anti-platelet drugs for a year or more after the procedure to prevent blood clots.
[1] Mayo Clinic. (2021). Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. [online] Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/coronary-artery-bypass-graft-cabg-surgery/about/pac-20384576
[3] American Heart Association. (2021). Coronary Artery Disease. [online] Available at: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cardiovascular-disease/coronary-artery-disease/coronary-artery-disease-symptoms
[5] National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2021). Varicose Veins. [online] Available at: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/varicose-veins
- In addition to coronary artery stents, prostatic stents are used to widen the urethra for an enlarged prostate.
- Esophageal stents, made of metal or plastic, help keep the esophagus open and are employed when it's blocked.
- Biliary stents are used to open blocked bile ducts.
- Airway stents, usually made of silicone, nitinol, stainless steel, or hybrid materials, help keep air passages open.
- Peripheral vascular stents, either mesh or stent grafts, are used to keep the peripheral arteries open.
- Nephrology, cardiovascular health, digestive health, and respiratory conditions can all potentially require various types of stents, including ureteral and venous stents, for treatment and maintenance.
