What is the difference between a vascular stent and a graft?

Vascular stents and grafts are both medical devices used to treat vascular conditions, but they serve different purposes and are designed to address different types of issues.

1. Vascular Stent:

• A vascular stent is a small, metal or polymer tube-like device that is inserted into a blood vessel to help keep it open and maintain adequate blood flow. Stents are commonly used to treat conditions such as coronary artery disease (in the heart), peripheral artery disease (in the limbs), and narrowed or blocked arteries in other parts of the body.

• Stents work by acting as a scaffold, supporting the walls of the blood vessel and preventing collapse or narrowing. They are often used in conjunction with procedures such as angioplasty, where a balloon is used to widen a narrowed artery, and then the stent is placed to keep the artery open.

2. Vascular Graft:

• A vascular graft is a synthetic or natural conduit that is surgically implanted to bypass or replace a diseased or damaged blood vessel. Grafts are used to reroute blood flow around blockages or areas of damage, restoring normal circulation.

• Vascular grafts can be made from materials such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), polyester fabric, or even biological tissues like veins harvested from the patient or from a donor. They are used in procedures such as bypass surgery for coronary artery disease, peripheral arterial bypass surgery, and for repairing or replacing damaged blood vessels in various parts of the body.

In summary, while both vascular stents and grafts are used in the treatment of vascular conditions, stents are typically used to keep arteries open by providing structural support, while grafts are used to bypass or replace damaged blood vessels to restore proper blood flow.