Coronary Angioplasty and Stent Placement | Coronary Stenting in Jordan

CORONARY ANGIOPLASTY AND STENT PLACEMENT

Coronary angioplasty and stent placement are minimally invasive procedures used to treat narrowed or blocked coronary arteries and improve blood flow to the heart muscle.

WHAT IS A CORONARY STENT?

A coronary stent is a small expandable mesh tube that is placed inside a narrowed coronary artery to help keep the artery open and maintain adequate blood flow. Most modern coronary stents are drug-eluting stents (DES), which release medication to reduce the risk of the artery narrowing again.

WHEN IS STENT PLACEMENT NEEDED?

Stent placement may be recommended when a coronary artery has a significant narrowing that affects blood flow to the heart. It may be considered in patients with persistent symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath despite medical treatment, as well as in selected patients with acute coronary syndromes and heart attacks.

HOW IS A CORONARY STENT INSERTED?

The procedure is performed during coronary angiography. A thin catheter is introduced through an artery, commonly through the wrist (radial access) or, when appropriate, through the groin. The catheter is carefully guided to the coronary arteries.

A balloon catheter is positioned across the narrowed area and inflated to widen the artery. The stent is then expanded at the site of the narrowing and remains permanently inside the artery to support the vessel wall and maintain blood flow.

BENEFITS OF CORONARY STENTING

Coronary angioplasty and stent placement can improve blood flow to the heart, relieve symptoms such as chest pain, improve exercise capacity and quality of life, and in appropriate emergency situations help restore blood flow quickly and limit heart muscle damage.

TYPES OF CORONARY STENTS

Drug-eluting stents (DES) are commonly used and release medication to reduce the risk of restenosis.

Bare-metal stents (BMS) are metallic stents without a drug coating and may be used in selected situations.

New-generation stents are designed with improved materials and technologies to provide effective vessel support while reducing the risk of complications and restenosis.

AFTER STENT PLACEMENT

After the procedure, patients are usually prescribed antiplatelet medications and other cardiac medications according to their individual condition. It is important to take medications exactly as prescribed and attend regular follow-up appointments.

The duration of medication and follow-up plan depends on the patient's diagnosis, the type of stent used, other medical conditions, and the overall risk of bleeding and cardiovascular events.

COMPLEX CORONARY INTERVENTIONS

Some coronary blockages are particularly challenging, including chronic total occlusions (CTO), heavily calcified lesions, long or diffuse stenoses, and complex coronary anatomy. These cases may require advanced interventional techniques and careful procedural planning.

Dr. Ghassan Shawabkeh is a Consultant Interventional Cardiologist in Jordan with extensive experience in coronary angioplasty, stent placement, transradial cardiac catheterization, and complex coronary interventions. Each patient is carefully assessed to determine the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment strategy.

If you have been diagnosed with coronary artery disease or have been advised to undergo angioplasty or stent placement, a specialist cardiac assessment can help determine the most appropriate treatment for your condition.