What is a Vascular Stent?
A vascular stent is a device, which is expanded, in a narrowed blood vessel. Expanding the walls of the blood vessel with a stent allows narrowed areas to be widened. Widening of these narrowed areas is important to restore normal blood flow.
Vascular stents resemble small metal mesh tubes with small fingers that grab onto the walls of the blood vessels and permanently adhere to them.
A narrowing in a blood vessel is caused by a process called Peripheral Vascular Disease. Normally, blood flows smoothly through your blood vessels. With this disease, plaque (fatty cholesterol) builds on the walls of the blood vessels. This build up, called atherosclerosis, slows blood flow through the vessels. Less blood flow to an area can cause some of the symptoms you may be experiencing
The goal of vascular stenting is to open a blood vessel by pushing the plaque against the vessel wall. Widening of the vessel will improve blood flow and improve your symptoms!
Stenting is often performed through the same tube used to photograph the narrowed blood vessel during your arteriogram. A special tube with a deflated balloon that lies inside the wall of the stent is inserted through the existing tube and positioned at the narrowed area. When in proper position, the balloon is inflated, and the stent is placed against the wall of the vessel. It may be necessary to inflate the balloon several times in order to expand the stent. The stent remains in the vessel permanently and the balloon is removed.
Once the test is completed, pressure is held at the tube site until bleeding has stopped.
What can I expect before Vascular Stenting?
It is important to speak with your physician before the procedure. You may be asked to:
- Have blood tests prior to your stent placement.
- Make adjustments in your medications.
- Limit food and/or drink for a time prior to the procedure.
- Stay in the hospital. Check with your physician!
What Can I Expect During My Stent Placement?
You may be asked questions regarding your past medical history, allergies and medications. You will meet with the radiologist, discuss the procedure and sign a consent form.
During the procedure you will need to lie flat. You will be covered with a sterile sheet and an area on your arm or leg will be cleansed with a liquid soap. An intravenous (small needle) will be inserted in your arm to provide you with medication and/or fluids if needed. A small plastic tube will be placed in your groin or arm. A numbing medication will be used on this area to help prevent discomfort.
With the tube in place, X ray dye will be injected through the plastic tube and photographs taken. Narrowings to be widened by the stent will be identified.
What happens after Vascular Stenting?
You may be required to stay in the hospital overnight for observation. You should keep your leg or arm (where the plastic tube was placed) straight. Drink plenty of fluids to help flush out the X ray dye. Relax and rest when you get home.