What is a stent implant?

A stent implant is a small, tube-like medical device that is inserted into a blocked or narrowed artery or other blood vessel to help keep it open. Stents are commonly used in procedures such as angioplasty to treat conditions like coronary artery disease, where the arteries supplying blood to the heart become narrowed or blocked due to the buildup of plaque.

Stents can be made from various materials, including metal mesh, fabric, or biodegradable substances. There are two main types of stents:

1. **Bare-Metal Stents (BMS):** These are simple metal tubes that provide structural support to the vessel.

2. **Drug-Eluting Stents (DES):** These are coated with medication that is slowly released to help prevent the artery from becoming blocked again (restenosis).

Stent implantation is a minimally invasive procedure typically performed under local anesthesia. It involves threading a catheter through the blood vessels to the site of the blockage, where the stent is then expanded to fit the vessel's walls, restoring proper blood flow.