A stent is a synthetic mesh tube used as a medical apparatus to support an open artery during surgery such as angioplasty. Stents are used in cases where arteries are weak, blocked or have become constricted. Insertion of stents into an artery enhances blood flow and averts the future constriction or blockage of the artery.

Patients who have undergone a stent procedure must consume blood thinning medication such as Aspirin and Persantine, in order to decrease the threat of a blood clot forming in the stent. Such medication may have to be taken for a short period of 12 months after surgery or for life.

Stent procedures

Stents are used for a number of surgical procedures dealing with different organs of the human body. The main types of stents are as follows:

Coronary stentsWhat are Stents Used For

Coronary stents are stents that are positioned in a coronary artery for the treatment of coronary heart diseases. Earlier coronary stents were made of metal; drug eluting stents are in vogue today.

Ureteral stents

Ureteral stents are used in case of malfunctioning kidney ureters. Ureters are well-developed tubes that push urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder. Ureter blocks are usually caused by kidney stones, or by ureter tumors.

Vascular stents

Vascular stents are used for constricted or blocked blood vessels apart from coronary arteries. The surgical procedure is known as Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty (PTA). The procedure is usually performed for leg arteries.

Stent graft

Stent grafts are tube shaped apparatuses made of unique fabric held up by an inflexible structure made of metal. The inflexible structure is known as a stent. Stent grafts are used mainly for endovascular surgery.

Other types of stents include duodenal stents, biliary stents, pancreatic stents, colonic stents and so on.