Is Stenting a Safe Procedure?

Coronary stenting has been around for decades, and the procedure has improved considerably since it was first introduced. 

Most patients who require a stent have questions about what the procedure involves, how safe it is, and what recovery looks like. The answers depend on why you need a stent and the condition of your arteries.

Syed W. Bokhari, MD, FACC, FSVM, board-certified cardiologist at Advanced Cardiovascular Care, Inc. in Riverside, California, performs coronary stenting only after determining that the procedure is the right option for the situation.

What stenting involves

A stent is a small mesh tube placed inside a narrowed or blocked artery to hold it open and restore blood flow. Dr. Bokhari places most coronary stents during a procedure called percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), commonly known as angioplasty.

Dr. Bokhari inserts a thin catheter through a small incision, usually in the wrist or groin, and uses imaging to guide it through the blood vessels to the blocked artery.

A small balloon at the tip of the catheter inflates to compress the plaque against the artery wall and widen the opening. The stent then deploys and expands to hold the artery open permanently.

Most patients receive local anesthesia with sedation and can move around within about six hours of the procedure.

How safe is stenting?

Coronary stenting is considered a safe and well-established minimally invasive procedure for most patients. Serious complications are uncommon, particularly in nonemergency settings where the procedure is planned in advance.

Risks associated with stenting include:

• Bleeding at the catheter insertion site
• Damage to the artery during catheter navigation
• Reactions to the contrast dye used during imaging
• Heart rhythm disruptions during or after the procedure
• In-stent restenosis, where the artery narrows again
• Blood clot formation inside the stent

The risk of serious complications such as a heart attack or stroke during elective stenting is low. Emergency stenting performed during a heart attack carries a higher risk because of the condition of the artery and the urgency of the situation.

Who’s a good candidate for stenting?

Not every blocked artery requires a stent. Dr. Bokhari evaluates several factors before recommending the procedure, including:

• Severity and location of the blockage
• Number of arteries affected
• Overall heart function
• Whether symptoms are present, and how they affect daily life
• Response to medications and lifestyle changes

Some patients with multiple blocked arteries or complex disease benefit more from bypass surgery, which reroutes blood flow around multiple blockages at once. Dr. Bokhari works with the cardiac team to determine the approach that offers the best outcome for each patient.

Medications after stenting

Preventing blood clots from forming inside the stent requires dual antiplatelet therapy after the procedure. This typically involves taking aspirin with a second antiplatelet medication, such as clopidogrel, ticagrelor, or prasugrel, for a period determined by stent type and clinical situation.

Stopping these medications too early significantly increases the risk of stent thrombosis, a clot that forms suddenly inside the stent and that can cause a heart attack. 

Dr. Bokhari works with each patient to determine how long they must continue dual antiplatelet therapy, and he monitors for any bleeding complications.

Recovery after stenting

Most patients resume normal activities within a few days of an elective stenting procedure. High-exertion activities must wait until the insertion site has healed and Dr. Bokhari has cleared you at your follow-up appointment. 

Watch for signs of bleeding or bruising at the insertion site during the first few days at home.

Follow-up appointments monitor stent function and help Dr. Bokhari adjust medications as needed. Long-term management entails controlling the risk factors that caused the blockage — cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, and smoking if relevant.

Stenting evaluation in Riverside, California

If you’re told you may need a stent, or if you have symptoms of coronary artery disease that haven’t been fully evaluated, Dr. Bokhari can assess your arteries and explain your options. 

Call Advanced Cardiovascular Care, Inc. at 951-682-6900 or request an appointment online today.