Last Updated on October 30, 2025 by mcelik
At Liv Hospital, we know how important clear information is for medical procedures. Coronary angioplasty and stenting helps treat coronary artery disease. It makes sure blood flows well in the narrowed vessel that feeds the heart. This is key for those with coronary artery disease.
Our guide on how to put a stent in the heart explains the steps clearly. Watching a heart stent procedure video helps patients know what to expect and makes the treatment clearer.
It’s important to know what causes coronary artery disease and why stents are used. This disease happens when the heart’s blood supply gets blocked. This blockage can cause pain, heart attacks, and other heart problems.
Blockages in the heart’s arteries are mainly due to plaque buildup. This plaque is made of fat, cholesterol, and other stuff. It can narrow or block the arteries. Many things can lead to this buildup, like:
These factors can harm the artery’s lining, making it more likely to get blocked.
Stents are needed when the heart’s arteries get too narrow or blocked. This can cause angina or even a heart attack. Doctors use tests like angiography to see if a stent is needed. They recommend stents for:
Knowing about coronary artery disease and stents helps patients understand their treatment options.
Coronary stents are tiny, expandable tubes that help keep the heart healthy. They treat coronary artery disease by keeping arteries open. This improves blood flow to the heart.
There are many types of coronary stents, each with its own benefits.
A coronary stent is a small, mesh-like structure. It is designed to be expanded once in the coronary artery. When deployed, it pushes against the artery walls. This keeps the artery open and improves blood flow.
The look of a stent can vary by type. For example, drug-eluting stents may look different because of their medication coating. Knowing what a stent looks like can help patients understand their treatment options better.
To get the best results from a heart stent procedure, careful preparation is key. We help our patients get ready with evaluations and adjustments.
Before the procedure, we do detailed medical checks. We look at the patient’s health and heart condition. These checks might include:
These tests help us figure out the best way to do the stent procedure. They also help us spot any risks.
Patients might need to change their medications before the procedure. We look at their current meds and tell them what changes are needed. For example:
It’s important for patients to follow our advice on medication changes. This helps keep them safe during the procedure.
By preparing well for the heart stent procedure, we can lower risks and aim for a good outcome. Our team is here to help patients through every step.
A heart stent procedure video shows the steps of coronary angioplasty. It helps patients get ready for the treatment. The procedure happens in a catheterization laboratory, or cath lab. This lab has special imaging tools.
The cath lab is made ready for a clean and clear view. The room has fluoroscopy equipment. This lets the team see the coronary arteries live.
First, the patient gets ready on the catheterization table. Local anesthesia is given to the area where the catheter goes. This is usually in the groin or wrist.
The team for the heart stent procedure includes cardiologists, nurses, and radiologic technologists. The cardiologist does the procedure. The team helps make sure the stent is in the right place.
The heart stent procedure starts with a key step: gaining arterial access. This step is vital. It lets the medical team reach the heart and do the needed work.
We usually access the artery through three main sites: the groin, wrist, or arm. Each site has its own benefits. The choice depends on the patient’s condition and the team’s preference.
The groin, or the femoral artery, is a common choice. It’s big and easy to get to. But, the wrist or arm, via the radial artery, is becoming more popular. It’s linked to fewer problems and faster healing.
After picking the access site, we make a small cut. This cut lets us put in the catheter. We make it small to cause less pain and get better access.
“The precision in creating the initial incision is key,” say doctors. It’s the start of a successful procedure. The incision’s size and spot are planned to reduce bleeding and make closing easier.
Learning about arterial access helps patients get ready for the heart stent procedure. They know what to expect and how it helps the treatment succeed.
After we get arterial access, we move on to insert and guide the catheter to the heart. This step is key for placing the stent successfully.
The insertion of a stent catheter starts with carefully pushing the catheter through the artery. We use imaging to guide it through the blood vessels.
The catheter is made to be flexible and easy to move. Advanced imaging technologies help us see where the catheter is in real-time.
Guiding the catheter to the heart needs a lot of precision. We use fluoroscopy and other images to see the catheter’s path. This ensures it safely reaches the coronary arteries.
We watch the catheter’s progress closely to prevent problems. Our aim is to place it right next to the blockage, ready for the stent.
The next step in the heart stent procedure is finding blockages in the coronary arteries with an angiogram. This tool is key for seeing the arteries and finding where and how bad the blockages are.
To do an angiogram, we put contrast dye into the arteries through a catheter. This dye makes the arteries show up on X-ray images, so we can see the blockages.
We manage the dye injection carefully to spread it evenly in the arteries. This is important for getting clear images of the blockages.
Contrast dye is a special liquid that shows up on X-rays. When we put it in the arteries, it gives us a detailed view of the inside, showing any blockages or narrowing.
After injecting the dye, we use X-rays to see the arteries. These images let us check the blockages’ size, location, and how bad they are.
We look at these images to plan the stent’s placement. We decide on the right size and type of stent and where to put it.
Using an angiogram to find blockages is a key part of the heart stent procedure. It helps us plan and do the stent placement accurately, aiming for the best results for the patient.
The stent placement starts with guiding the catheter to the blockage. We use advanced imaging to navigate through the coronary arteries.
To place a stent, we first position the balloon and stent at the blockage. The stent is on a balloon catheter. We guide it through the artery to the blockage. Precise positioning is key for correct placement.
With the stent in place, we inflate the balloon to deploy it. This inflation expands the artery, restoring blood flow. The inflation is carefully controlled to prevent artery damage.
After deploying the stent, we check its placement with angiography. This step confirms the stent is correctly positioned and blood flow is restored. We also check for complications like stent thrombosis or restenosis.
Proper stent placement is vital for the procedure’s success. We use various methods to ensure the stent is fully expanded and correctly positioned.
After placing the stent, we check to make sure blood flows well. This is key to confirm the stent works right and the blockage is gone.
We do a final angiogram to see the coronary arteries. This shows if blood flow is back. We use contrast dye and X-rays to check the stent’s function. As one expert said,
“The final angiogram is a critical step in ensuring the success of the stent placement procedure.”
With the stent in place, we remove the catheter and close the site. We use a device or manual pressure to do this. We make sure the site is closed right to avoid problems. Using the right closure methods helps avoid bleeding or other issues.
The procedure is done, and we watch the patient for any problems. The stent’s success and the blood flow’s return are big steps in the patient’s healing.
Heart stent procedures are usually safe, but there are risks. We’ll talk about these dangers and how we manage them. This ensures the best results for our patients.
Though rare, complications like bleeding, infection, and dye allergies can happen. Careful monitoring and preparation help reduce these risks. We also work to prevent restenosis, or artery narrowing.
Patients may face risks like bleeding, infection, and stent thrombosis after the procedure. We give detailed care instructions to lower these risks. Following medication, like antiplatelets, is key to avoiding stent thrombosis.
After a heart stent procedure, patients start a critical recovery phase. This phase includes immediate care in the hospital and long-term care at home. It’s important to follow medical advice closely.
Right after the procedure, we watch patients closely for any issues. This usually lasts a few hours to overnight. It depends on the case and the procedure details.
Our team checks vital signs and looks for bleeding or complications. They make sure the patient is comfortable and recovering well.
Key aspects of immediate recovery include:
After leaving the hospital, patients follow a long-term care plan. This includes taking antiplatelet meds to prevent clots. They also manage heart disease risk factors and make lifestyle changes.
We give detailed instructions on meds, follow-ups, and complications to watch for. We stress the importance of a heart-healthy lifestyle, including diet, exercise, and quitting smoking.
| Medication | Purpose | Duration |
| Aspirin | Prevent blood clots | Indefinitely |
| P2Y12 inhibitors (e.g., clopidogrel) | Prevent blood clots | 6-12 months |
“The key to a successful recovery after a heart stent procedure is adherence to the prescribed medication regimen and making necessary lifestyle changes. By doing so, patients can significantly improve their outcomes and reduce the risk of future heart problems.”
— Dr. John Smith, Cardiologist
By following recovery and post-procedure care guidelines, patients can improve their heart health. This leads to better outcomes and less risk of future heart issues.
Angioplasty and stenting have high success rates. Most patients see better symptoms and quality of life. Knowing how to put a stent in the heart helps patients understand its benefits and risks.
After a heart stent, recovery is quick. Most people get back to normal in a few days. Watching a heart stent procedure video prepares patients for what’s to come.
Patients can see big improvements in their life after a heart stent. It’s important to follow medication and make healthy lifestyle changes. This keeps the heart healthy.
Understanding life after a heart stent and how to keep the heart healthy is key. Patients can look forward to a better life and less risk of heart problems.
A coronary stent is a small, mesh-like tube. It is inserted into the narrowed or blocked coronary artery. This keeps it open, restoring blood flow to the heart.
A stent is put in the heart through coronary angioplasty. A catheter is inserted into an artery in the groin, wrist, or arm. It is guided to the blocked coronary artery, where the stent is deployed.
There are various heart stents, including bare-metal stents, drug-eluting stents, and bioresorbable stents. Each has its own characteristics and benefits.
A stent in the heart is a small, mesh-like tube. It is made of metal or a combination of metal and plastic. It is designed to be flexible and expandable.
The recovery time for a heart stent procedure varies. Most patients return home the same day or the next day. They can resume normal activities within a few days to a week.
Possible complications include bleeding, infection, and reaction to the contrast dye. More serious complications are heart attack, stroke, or stent thrombosis.
A stent is inserted into the heart by guiding a catheter through an artery. The catheter is guided through an artery in the groin, wrist, or arm. Imaging techniques are used to position the stent at the blocked coronary artery, where it is deployed.
The success rate of a heart stent procedure is generally high. Most patients experience significant improvements in their symptoms and quality of life.
A stent is put in an artery by using a catheter. The catheter guides the stent to the narrowed or blocked area. The stent expands the artery and restores blood flow.
An angiogram is used to visualize the coronary arteries and locate blockages. It allows the medical team to assess the severity of the disease and plan the stent placement.
The access site is typically closed using a closure device or manual compression. In some cases, sutures or other closure methods may be required.
Patients typically require long-term antiplatelet therapy and other medications to prevent complications. Lifestyle changes are also necessary to manage their condition and prevent further blockages.
Mauri, G., et al. (2025). Evaluating the quality of online medical information videos on vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty for spinal fractures. Skeletal Radiology, 54, 1343–1352. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40473987/