What causes a blocked stent?

Without a stent to support the newly opened artery, it is more likely to collapse or to become blocked by more plaque. Even when a stent is implanted, restenosis can develop inside the stent. When a stent is placed in an artery, new tissue grows into it until it becomes very much like the normal lining of the artery.

What are the symptoms of a clogged stent?

Impacts of a complete blockage The symptoms – chest pain, tightness and shortness of breath – can be similar, though. Sometimes, when arteries become completely blocked, a new blood supply develops around the blockage. This new blood supply, called collaterals, won’t deliver as much blood to your heart.

What does it mean when a stent is occluded?

Stent thrombosis is a thrombotic occlusion of a coronary stent. This is usually an acute process in contrast to restenosis, which is a gradual narrowing of the stent lumen due to neointimal proliferation. Stent thrombosis often results in an acute coronary syndrome, while restenosis often results in anginal symptoms.

How do you fix a blocked stent?

The most common method is to maneuver a drug-coated stent wrapped around a balloon into the middle of the closed-up stent. Inflating the balloon pushes aside the material obstructing the old stent and opens the new one.

What is the failure rate of stents?

A total of 175 (3.3\%) stents in 151 (4.3\%) patients failed. Failure to deliver the stent to the lesion site was the main cause in 139 patients (92\%) and failure either to expand adequately the stent or premature disengagement of the stent from the balloon in only 12 patients (8\%).

Can stents be rejected by the body?

In rare cases, a person’s body may reject the stent, or they may have an allergic reaction to the material in the stent. Anyone who has a known reaction to metals should talk to their doctor about alternatives.