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The story behind the coronary stent: How this small device can save lives in emergencies.
A coronary stent is a tube-like device used to keep open the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart, particularly in patients with coronary artery disease. With the advancement of medical technology, most stents today are drug-eluting stents (DES), which are widely used in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and have been shown to relieve chest pain and improve survival after a heart attack. The patient's chance of survival.
"Coronary stents are not just a medical device, their use can save lives at critical moments."
Medical Uses
Heart stent placement is usually performed in two situations: one is when the patient has already suffered a heart attack and is undergoing emergency active PCI; the other is for patients who show symptoms of persistent coronary artery stenosis. The patient is usually awake during stent placement, but local anesthesia is used to relieve pain and ensure patient comfort.
"With modern medical technology, stent placement is no longer a painful process, and patient comfort is of paramount importance."
By puncturing a peripheral artery (usually an artery in the leg or arm), a specialist doctor introduces a stent into the vascular system and then expands it to open a coronary artery that has been narrowed by atherosclerosis. The process involves using simulated imaging technology to assess the condition of the artery in real time and ensure accurate placement of the stent.
Recovery and rehabilitation
Many patients who undergo stenting do not need to be hospitalized, and the main concern after surgery is whether there is bleeding at the blood vessel access site. Patients are often given anticoagulants to reduce the risk of stent thrombosis. Nonetheless, postoperative discomfort and bruising are common and will improve over time.
"Regular follow-up after surgery can help doctors evaluate the patient's recovery and the function of the stent."
Patients will need to follow their doctor's instructions during recovery, typically avoiding heavy lifting to promote healing of the entry point. Additionally, regular follow-up exams can help detect any signs of complications early, especially in patients with more severe heart damage.
Risks and Challenges
Although the risk of complications from PCI is relatively small, problems such as arrhythmia, infection, restenosis, or bleeding may still occur. The problem of restenosis particularly requires that patients adhere to the recommendations of dual antiplatelet therapy in the long term to reduce the risk of thrombosis.
"Restenosis is a major challenge regarding the long-term performance of stents, and research is still ongoing."
Usage considerations
While many studies have demonstrated the benefits of stent use in acute cardiac situations, their effectiveness in patients with stable angina remains controversial. There is evidence that stents may not significantly improve the prognosis of these patients.
Research and future development
With the advancement of science and technology, research on stent materials has continued to deepen, including the development of new technologies such as degradable stents. These studies aim to improve the biocompatibility of stents and reduce the risk of restenosis. Future developments may revolutionize the way heart disease patients are treated.
SummaryThe use of coronary stents undoubtedly plays an important role in emergency medicine and helps improve the quality of life of patients. However, effective communication between patients and medical providers and balancing surgical risks and expected treatment effects remain important topics that continue to be explored. In this confusing world of medicine, are you ready to learn more about your heart health?
