Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2024-07-22 Origin: Site
Vascular stents are small, expandable tubes used to treat narrowed or weakened arteries in the body. Here are the main types of vascular stents:
1. **Bare Metal Stents (BMS)**:
- Made of metal, usually stainless steel or cobalt-chromium.
- Provide a scaffold to keep the artery open.
- Risk of restenosis (re-narrowing of the artery) is higher compared to other types.
2. **Drug-Eluting Stents (DES)**:
- Coated with medication that is slowly released to prevent scar tissue formation.
- Significantly reduce the risk of restenosis.
- Common drugs used include sirolimus, paclitaxel, everolimus, and zotarolimus.
3. **Bioabsorbable Stents (Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffolds, BVS)**:
- Made of materials that gradually dissolve in the body after serving their purpose.
- Designed to reduce long-term complications associated with permanent implants.
- Typically made from polymers or metal alloys that degrade over time.
4. **Covered Stents (Stent Grafts)**:
- Made of metal stents covered with a fabric-like material (e.g., PTFE or Dacron).
- Used to treat aneurysms or perforations in blood vessels.
- Provide a seal to prevent blood leakage.
5. **Dual Therapy Stents (DTS)**:
- Combine the features of both drug-eluting and bioabsorbable stents.
- Aim to provide the benefits of drug delivery while eventually being absorbed by the body.
6. **Peripheral Stents**:
- Specifically designed for use in peripheral arteries, such as those in the legs.
- Often made to withstand bending and compression.
7. **Coronary Stents**:
- Specifically designed for use in coronary arteries.
- Include both bare metal and drug-eluting varieties.
8. **Carotid Artery Stents**:
- Used to treat carotid artery disease and reduce the risk of stroke.
- Typically self-expanding and designed to accommodate the specific anatomy of the carotid artery.
These stents are selected based on the specific medical condition, location of the artery, and patient characteristics.
