2
October
What are Stents?
Stents are devices placed inside coronary arteries to help keep the vessels open so blood flows more freely, preventing blockages that may lead to heart attacks or other problems. The most common type of stent is a tube of metal mesh designed to fit easily inside artery walls.
While procedures for inserting stents differ depending on the nature of the blockages, the process is always far less invasive than bypass surgeries. Compared with bypass surgery, stenting involves smaller incisions and a shorter recovery time. Patients receiving stents often require only local, rather than general, anesthesia.