back to catheter
interventions

The stent is positioned at the narrowed area of the artery. When the balloon is inflated, the stent expands and is pressed against the vessel wall. The balloon is deflated and withdrawn, leaving the stent permanently in place. At times, special imaging with "stent-boost" technology and intravascular ultrasound may be performed to assess the result.(see article)

After a stent is placed, in addition to aspirin, you will be prescribed another antiplatelet medication, Clopidogrel, also known as Plavix. This is used to minimize the risk of clot formation in the stent while tissue grows around the stent to incorporate it into the blood vessel wall. The duration of therapy with aspirin and Plavix will be determined by your doctor and depends on the type of stent and the location of the artery where the stent was implanted. You should continue to take Aspirin along with the Clopidogrel and not stop these medications without the notification of your physicians.

After Your Catheterization...