Different Stents

A stent is a small tube surgeons use to keep open blood vessels, collapsed or narrowed arteries. Stents are designed to increase blood flow to a specific portion of the body. These are often used in a surgical procedure such as angioplasty, where a balloon-like device is used to open arteries. There are different types of stents commonly used in surgical procedures.

Bioabsorbable Stents

• A Bioabsorbable stent is a polymer that enables the vessel to heal before it safely decomposes and absorbs into the body. This type of stent does not leave any material behind. Another type of bioabsorbable stent uses a bioabsorbable polymer covering over a metal or polymer structure. The coating can change the properties of the permanent stent over time.

Bare Metal Stents

• Bare metal stents consist of small metal tubes that are generally constructed from nickel titanium alloy or stainless steel. These stents are used after feeding a balloon tipped catheter into the the blood vessel to locate the blockage. The balloon like device is inflated to open up the vessel and the metal stent is inserted to ensure the vessel stays open.

Stent Grafts

• Unlike most stents that are usually constructed out of metal or plastic, a stent graft is comprised of of fabric that is supported by metal mesh. This type of stent is typically used to treat aneurysms or weakened areas in arteries. These weak areas can burst, which could cause potentially fatal internal bleeding. Stent grafts reinforce the weak spots, but still allow adequate blood flow.

Drug Eluting Stents

• A drug eluting stent is made of metal, like a bare metal stent, but is is covered with a drug that helps deter stenosis, or hardening of the blood vessels or arteries. A proliferation of the cells is what causes stenosis. Inserting a drug eluting stent is the same process as a bare metal stent. These stents can also reduce the likelihood of clots forming as well.

Gene Delivery Stents

• Polymer stents, similar to drug delivery stents, can administer genetic therapy materials to stented blood vessels, although this method is still in clinical testing. A stent inflicted with an adenovirus can administer reporter genes to stented vessels in rabbits, according to the American Heart Association. After the stents break down in the body, they release an adenovirus in the vessels or arteries close to the stents.