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Why is the doctor performing this procedure?
To open up a
peripheral artery that is narrowed or blocked by plaque build-up
(atherosclerosis), and to structurally support that opening by permanently
placing a metal stent within the artery.
What is the procedure?
A stent is a mesh-like metal
cylinder. Stent placement is often part of a PTA (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 blocked
peripheral artery, and a series of x-ray pictures are taken to clearly visualize
the artery that is narrowed. Then a balloon-tipped catheter is advanced into the
narrowed 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 stent attached, is advanced to the area that was
just opened. The balloon is inflated, expanding the stent into the inner layer
of the artery. The balloon is removed, but the stent stays in place, acting as a
scaffold to keep the artery open. The inner lining of the artery will then heal
around the stent.
X-ray pictures are repeated, and if the 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?
In the Catheterization
Lab or the Interventional Radiology Suite.
How long does this procedure take?
Angioplasty with stent
placement usually takes 1-2 hours.
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