Stenting of the heart vessels
Coronary stenting is a medical procedure that allows doctors to restore the lumen of the coronary vessel.
Coronary artery stenting is a non-surgical procedure that can eliminate the narrowing or complete closure of a coronary artery and completely restore its lumen. As a result of undergoing the procedure, your heart will receive more blood (which means more oxygen and glucose). The heart will begin to work better, the symptoms of angina will disappear, and the quality of one’s life will improve.
How is the procedure performed?
Under local anesthesia, the doctors perform a puncture of the artery, pass the catheter to the affected area and inject contrast. A very thin and flexible wire then passes through the affected area of the coronary artery. After that, a special catheter with a balloon at the end is inserted along this wire until the balloon reaches a narrowing. The doctor inflates and deflates the balloon several times. At the same time, the balloon crushes the plaque and presses it against the vessel wall. To improve the result, balloon catheters with a medical coating or stents with a medical coating can be used after that. A stent is a thin metal tube that is put on a balloon and inserted into the narrowed area. The balloon inflates and expands the stent to the diameter of the vessel. Then the balloon deflates. When the doctor is sure that the stent is in place and the artery is wide enough, the balloon and wire are removed. The stent stays in the artery, supports the walls of the artery, and prevents it from narrowing again. Inflating the balloon may cause pain or discomfort in the chest. This is normal, the unpleasant sensations will disappear after the balloon is deflated. The procedure is completed in the same way as coronary angiography: the catheters are removed, the puncture site is pressed with the hand, and a bandage is applied.
After the procedure, you will be advised to stay in bed for several hours.
How to prepare?
Before planning the procedure, you will be examined by a cardiologist.
The doctor conducts
- electrocardiography (ECG),
- ultrasound examination of the heart (ECHO of the heart),
- laboratory tests (to determine the level of creatinine, urea, and other indicators if necessary).
Before undergoing coronary stenting
- do not eat for two hours before the procedure,
- take all the medicines that you usually take.
The cost depends on the complexity of the procedure and the use of additional examination methods (e.g., determination of fractional blood flow reserve, intravascular ultrasound examination) as well as the use of additional treatment methods (e.g., rotablation).
Лікарі
Часті питання
- You can wear whatever you want when going to the hospital. During the procedure, you
- will be dressed in a hospital gown.
- Leave your valuables at home.
- One day before the arranged date, your doctor or nurse will tell you what you can and сan eat or drink before the procedure.
- Ask your doctor what medications you should take on the day of the procedure.
- Tell your doctor and/or nurses if you are allergic to anything.
- injected during the procedure.
- The procedure is performed in the X-ray operating room. This room is cool and dimly lit.
- You will lie on a special table above which you will see a large camera and several
- monitors.
- When the contrast medium is injected, you may feel heat or notice redness for a few
- seconds. This is normal – these sensations will quickly disappear.
- Catheters and an introducer are removed from the blood vessel. The doctor will press
- the puncture site with a finger and apply a compression bandage.
- The nurse will check your bandage regularly to prevent bleeding.
- After a puncture in the leg, you need to lie in bed for several hours.
- The puncture site may be sensitive.
- You will need to drink plenty of fluid to clear the contrast material from your body.
