Procedures Cath Lab Medicated Stents
Why is the doctor performing this procedure? What is the procedure? Medicated Stent placement is often part of a PTCA (Angioplasty) procedure. As in Angioplasty, a catheter is inserted into an artery - usually in the groin - but sometimes in the arm or wrist. The catheter is advanced to the heart, and a series of x-ray pictures (Coronary Angiogram) are taken to clearly visualize the heart artery that is narrowed. Then a balloon-tipped catheter is advanced to the heart, and into the narrowed coronary artery. Inside the artery, the balloon is inflated and deflated several times, compressing the plaque against the artery wall and widening the artery so blood flow improves. This balloon-tipped catheter is removed, and a separate balloon-tipped catheter, with a Medicated Stent attached, is advanced to the area that was just opened. The balloon is inflated, expanding the Medicated Stent into the inner layer of the artery. The balloon is removed, but the Medicated Stent stays in place, acting as a scaffold to keep the artery open. The inner lining of the artery will heal around the Stent. The medication on the Stent decreases scarring in the Stent, helping to keep the artery open. X-ray pictures are repeated, and if the Medicated Stent has been successfully placed, the catheters are removed. Pressure is applied to the puncture site (to stop bleeding) while the patient rests quietly. Where is the procedure performed? How long does this procedure take?
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