Views: 6 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2023-11-02 Origin: Site
The lifespan of a coronary stent depends on several factors, but typically they will last many years:
- Bare metal stents (BMS): These basic metal meshes typically remain open for 5-10 years before a percentage may develop restenosis (re-narrowing). However, many BMS continue working well beyond 10 years.
- Drug-eluting stents (DES): These stents have special drug coatings that suppress cell growth and scar tissue. This lowers the risk of restenosis compared to BMS. DES has a longer lifespan of 7-20 years on average before restenosis may occur.
- Patient factors: Conditions like diabetes or kidney disease can accelerate restenosis for both BMS and DES. Stents in smaller arteries or areas with slower blood flow may re-narrow faster.
- Stent position: Some stenting locations like the left main coronary artery or arterial branches have higher restenosis rates. Proper stent placement technique improves longevity. - Ongoing care: Strictly following medications, diet, exercise and lifestyle changes prescribed by your doctor is key to prolonging the stent's openness.
- Future stenting: Placing additional stents inside an existing stent (stent-in-stent) can impact the lifespan of the original stent.
In general, most students will continue working for at least 5-10 years. With appropriate follow-up care and monitoring, many patients can expect their coronary stents to remain open for 15-20 years or even longer. But lifelong monitoring is recommended.
