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The Magic of Drug Release: Why are drug-eluting stents the first choice for cardiac interventional treatment?
In modern cardiac interventional treatment, stent technology has become an important tool for saving patients' lives. A drug-eluting stent (DES) is an advanced medical device that keeps narrowed coronary arteries open, helping the heart get the blood supply it needs. According to 2023 data, drug-eluting stents have been used in more than 90% of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures, demonstrating their widespread use in the treatment of coronary artery disease.
Stents not only relieve angina, but have also been shown to improve survival and reduce adverse events after a heart attack.
Current medical uses
Drug-eluting stents are typically placed during a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedure, either in an emergency or planned setting. In emergency situations, such as after a heart attack, PCI can quickly open a blocked blood vessel using a stent. In patients with persistent clinical symptoms, interventionalists will perform planned interventions to optimize the patient's cardiac health. During these procedures, local anesthetics are often used to ensure that the patient does not feel pain during the procedure.
Recovery and rehabilitation
Most patients who undergo stent implantation do not require prolonged hospital stay, primarily to ensure that bleeding does not occur at the needle site. If the surgery goes well, the patient will be carefully monitored in the days that follow and receive anticoagulant medication to prevent blood clots from forming. There is usually some pain and bruising after surgery, but these discomforts usually subside over time.
Potential RisksOngoing follow-up visits are an important part of the recovery process and are usually conducted regularly in the weeks and months following surgery.
Although the complications of percutaneous coronary intervention are relatively small, there is still a risk of developing serious complications such as arrhythmias, infection, and stent restenosis. Studies have shown that although the use of stents can effectively improve short-term symptoms, it does not significantly reduce the mortality rate or the incidence of heart attacks in some conditions.
Research and Future Outlook
Currently, research on drug-eluting stents is ongoing, with many clinical trials investigating the effectiveness of this treatment. Although drug-eluting stents help improve acute symptoms, their long-term effects remain controversial in patients with stable coronary artery disease. Many doctors recommend that treatment choices be based on an individual's risk factors.
ConclusionIn the long term, the development of this medical technology requires further scientific verification and clinical trial results.
The emergence of drug-eluting stents has provided a revolutionary solution for cardiac interventional therapy, demonstrating its potential in both emergency and long-term treatment. However, in the face of the potential risks of its use, doctors need to carefully choose a treatment plan that is appropriate for each patient. Is the use of drug-eluting stents really the best solution for all heart problems? It is worth our further thinking and discussion?
