A stent is a small mesh tube inserted into a narrowed or blocked blood vessel to keep it open. It is commonly used in coronary arteries and other vascular sites to restore blood flow and prevent recurrence of obstruction.
The insertion of a stent is performed via a minimally invasive catheter-based technique. Under imaging guidance, the stent is positioned at the narrowed site and expanded, supporting the vessel wall and improving circulation immediately.
Drug-eluting stents release medication to reduce the risk of restenosis, while bare-metal stents provide mechanical support. The choice depends on patient-specific factors, vessel characteristics, and long-term treatment goals.
Stenting reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke, and organ damage associated with vascular obstruction. Combined with medication and lifestyle modifications, it provides effective and durable management of cardiovascular disease.
Prof. Dr. Özgür KILIÇKESMEZ Prof. Dr. Kılıçkesmez holds the Turkish Radiology Competency Certificate, the Turkish Interventional Radiology Competency Certificate, Stroke Treatment Certification, and the European Board of Interventional Radiology (EBIR). In his academic career, he won the Siemens Radiology First Prize in 2008.
Interventional Radiology / Interventional Neuroradiology
What Is the Purpose of a Stent?
A stent is an important medical device used inside the body for various health conditions. Its main function is to keep narrowed or blocked blood vessels open, thus improving blood flow. This functionality plays a critical role, especially in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Stents support the vessel walls, prevent them from narrowing again, and ensure continuous blood flow.
The structure of stents is designed to support their functionality:
- Made from materials such as metal or polymer.
- Tube-shaped with a mesh-like structure.
- Keeps hollow organs or structures open.
Their use is not limited to heart vessels; stents are also used in other parts of the body:
- Peripheral arteries
- Carotid arteries
- Bile duct
- Esophagus
In addition, some stent types—especially drug-eluting stents—are designed to reduce the risk of restenosis. These stents slowly release medication at the placement site, preventing cell proliferation and scar tissue formation. The use of stents carries certain risks:
- Stent thrombosis
- In-stent restenosis
These risks occur when the stent causes blood clot formation or scar tissue growth within the vessel.
How Does a Stent Work in the Body?
Stents are specifically designed to support heart and vascular health. These devices are placed to keep clogged arteries open. During the procedure, a stent mounted on a balloon catheter is advanced to the site of the blockage. Inflating the balloon expands the stent against the artery walls, opening up the artery. The stent acts as a scaffold to keep the artery open, allowing blood to flow more freely.
Types of Stents:
- Bare Metal Stents (BMS): Made of metal, these provide support but carry a risk of restenosis due to scar tissue formation.
- Drug-Eluting Stents (DES): Coated with medication that inhibits cell growth and minimizes the risk of restenosis.
- Bioabsorbable Stents: Designed to dissolve over time, leaving no permanent foreign material and reducing long-term complications.
After placement, the inner wall of the artery begins to grow over the stent—a process called endothelialization—which significantly reduces the risk of thrombosis. Good endothelialization promotes the formation of a healthy cell layer over the stent and prevents clot formation. The structural integrity of stents must also be maintained over time. Bioabsorbable stents in particular support the healing process and help the artery return to its natural state. *We recommend filling out all fields so we can respond in the best possible way.
What Types of Stents Are Available?
Stents are used to open blockages in arteries and come in various types, each providing important benefits for vascular health. Bare Metal Stents (BMS) are the first type of stents, made of stainless steel or cobalt-chromium alloys. These act as scaffolds but have a high risk of re-narrowing. More advanced Drug-Eluting Stents (DES) are coated with medications to prevent re-narrowing. The drugs are released over time from a polymer on the stent. This type is especially effective in reducing the risk of heart attack and stent thrombosis.
- Bare Metal Stents (BMS): Simple metal frameworks; high rate of re-narrowing.
- Drug-Eluting Stents (DES): Coated with drugs; reduce the risk of re-narrowing.
- Bioabsorbable Stents (BRS): Made from materials that can be absorbed by the body; reduce permanent risks.
- Dual Therapy Stents (DTS): Combine the features of DES with additional therapeutic agents; reduce thrombosis risk and speed up healing.
- Covered Stents: Used in complex cases; ideal for aneurysms or vessel perforations.
- Special Stents (e.g., Bifurcation Stents): Adapted for branched arteries; provide support for both branches.
- Coated Stents: Reduce inflammation, prevent clotting, and promote integration with the vessel wall.
In What Cases Is a Stent Necessary?
Stents are important medical devices used in various conditions to relieve vessel blockages and maintain blood flow. These conditions are directly related to heart and vascular health.
- Coronary Artery Disease: Narrowing of coronary arteries due to atherosclerosis triggers this condition. Stents are critical for patients at risk of chest pain and heart attack.
- Acute Coronary Syndrome: In emergencies such as heart attacks, stents are used to minimize heart damage and save lives.
- Peripheral Artery Disease: Narrowed vessels in the legs restrict blood flow and can cause serious health problems. Stents improve blood flow and relieve symptoms.
- Renal Artery Stenosis: Narrowing of kidney arteries can cause high blood pressure and loss of function. Stenting supports kidney health.
- Carotid Artery Disease: Narrowing of the main vessels to the brain increases the risk of stroke. Stents are placed to reduce this risk.
How Long Does a Stent Last?
The lifespan of a stent varies depending on several important factors. The type of stent used is a major determinant. The patient’s overall health and the quality of post-treatment care also directly affect stent success. Here are the lifespan and restenosis risks by stent type:
Bare Metal Stents (BMS):
- Designed to be permanent.
- Restenosis risk is 20-30% within the first year.
Drug-Eluting Stents (DES):
- Also permanent.
- Reduce restenosis risk to 5-10%.
Bioabsorbable Stents:
- Dissolve within 2-3 years.
- Long-term efficacy and risks are not yet fully established.
While stents are generally considered permanent implants, their effectiveness may change over time. About 10-15% of patients experience issues like restenosis within the first year, which may require additional interventions. Long-term outcomes depend on several factors, including vessel size, lesion length, and patient adherence to medication therapy.
How Is a Stent Placed?
Stent placement is a critical intervention for cardiovascular health and is usually performed in a hospital, prioritizing patient comfort. Before the procedure, a mild sedative is given to help the patient relax. Local anesthesia is also applied to the area where the catheter will be inserted—usually the groin, arm, or wrist.
A small incision is made at the selected area, and a protective sheath is placed into the blood vessel. The sheath allows the catheter to safely advance toward the heart. A guidewire is passed through the sheath to guide the catheter.
The catheter is advanced over the guidewire to the blockage site in the coronary arteries. Contrast dye is injected to visualize the blockage and arteries, and imaging is done with fluoroscopy.
When the blockage is located, a balloon-tipped catheter is advanced to the site and inflated, widening the artery and improving blood flow. Then, another balloon catheter with a stent mounted on it is positioned at the site, and inflating the balloon places the stent against the artery wall. The stent is left in place to keep the artery open.
Finally, a pressure bandage or closure device is applied to the procedure site to reduce the risk of bleeding. The patient’s recovery process is then monitored.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you stay in the hospital after stent placement?
After a coronary or brain vessel stent placement, patients are usually kept under observation in the hospital for one night. However, if the procedure is planned and there are no complications, same-day discharge may be possible. The total stay depends on the patient’s overall health and procedure details. Most patients can walk the next day and recover enough to return to work or daily routines within a week.
Can someone with a stent receive a disability report?
Having a heart stent alone does not qualify a person for a disability report. What matters is how much the underlying heart condition affects daily life and work capacity. For example, if a patient with a stent also has chronic heart failure severe enough to limit work, a disability report may be possible. The report is issued based on the severity and functional impact of the heart condition, not just the presence of a stent.
How long do you use blood thinners after stent placement?
The duration of blood thinner use after stent placement depends on the type of stent and the patient’s condition. For drug-eluting stents in stable cases, at least 6 months of blood thinner therapy is generally recommended. In acute situations like acute coronary syndrome, this period may extend to 12 months. For bare metal stents, the typical duration is 1 month. However, these durations can be individually adjusted according to the patient’s bleeding risk or other health factors.
How long does a stent last?
Stents are designed as permanent devices to keep vessels open for life. However, complications such as restenosis (re-narrowing of the artery) can occur, especially in the first 6 to 12 months. Drug-eluting stents significantly reduce the risk of narrowing compared to bare metal stents by releasing medication that prevents cell growth. Still, stents do not treat the underlying causes of vessel narrowing, so lifestyle changes are crucial to prevent recurrence.
What is the maximum number of stents that can be placed in a person?
There is no definite limit to the number of stents that can be placed in a person; the decision depends on the patient’s condition, the extent of vascular disease, and the suitability of alternative treatments. Although some patients may have multiple stents, each additional stent increases the risk of blockage and other complications. The decision to place another stent or to perform an alternative intervention such as bypass is carefully evaluated based on the patient’s specific case.
Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology Speaclist Prof. Dr. Özgür Kılıçkesmez graduated from Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty in 1997. He completed his specialization at Istanbul Education and Research Hospital. He received training in interventional radiology and oncology in London. He founded the interventional radiology department at Istanbul Çam and Sakura City Hospital and became a professor in 2020. He holds many international awards and certificates, has over 150 scientific publications, and has been cited more than 1500 times. He is currently working at Medicana Ataköy Hospital.
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