Stent

A stent is a small, expandable tube made of metal mesh or other biocompatible materials, designed to be inserted into a natural passageway in the body, such as a blood vessel or bile duct, to provide support and maintain patency (openness). It acts as a scaffold, preventing the passage from collapsing or narrowing due to disease, injury, or other conditions. Stents are commonly deployed using minimally invasive techniques, often via catheters, allowing for targeted treatment with reduced recovery times compared to traditional surgeries. The device is designed for long-term implantation and can be coated with medications to prevent complications like restenosis (re-narrowing) or thrombosis (blood clot formation). Different types of stents are available, tailored to specific anatomical locations and the underlying medical condition.

Stent meaning with examples

• During his angioplasty, the cardiologist successfully implanted a coronary stent to open up the blocked artery and restore blood flow to the heart. This minimally invasive procedure significantly improved his chest pain and reduced his risk of a future heart attack, allowing him to resume his daily activities.
• The patient with biliary stricture required a stent to keep the bile duct open and ensure proper drainage of bile into the small intestine. The procedure alleviated the abdominal pain and jaundice caused by the obstruction, enhancing his overall well-being and facilitating digestion.
• Following a successful vascular intervention to repair an aneurysm, a stent was placed to reinforce the weakened artery wall and prevent further expansion or rupture. This strategic measure provided critical long-term support to the vessel, improving his chances of survival.
• Doctors used a specialized stent in the trachea of the patient, who had a severe case of airway obstruction, improving breathing difficulties. The device held the windpipe open, enabling him to breathe more easily and avoid emergency interventions, improving quality of life.