A stent is a scaffold inserted inside a blood vessel to divert it around an obstruction (stricture) in the blood vessel. The stent keeps the blood vessel open and prevents the formation of a thrombus (blood clot). A stent can be metal or plastic and can provide complete or partial occlusion depending on its design.

Why Would I Need a Stent?

There are many reasons why a stent would be used, ie. In case of thrombosis (blood clot), an aneurysm (a weak area on the inside of an artery), stenosis, and peripheral vascular disease, known as peripheral arterial disease. Thrombosis is most likely to occur in the setting of stent-grafts when the stent is inserted in a vessel with stenosis. The stent is then used as a scaffold to help divert blood around the obstruction and help maintain flow in the vessel.

To read the rest of the blog, click here!