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Interventional Cardiac Stenting

adult male patient speaking with provider

What is Interventional Cardiac Stenting?

Interventional stenting often is used to improve blood flow in the arteries and veins of patients with heart disease by placing a small tube within the blood vessel to help keep it open. The interventional, or minimally invasive procedure, is called angioplasty.

During an angioplasty, a long, thin plastic tube called a catheter with a balloon tip is guided to the narrowed or blocked artery or vein. The balloon is inflated to open the vessel. Once the catheter is in place, contrast material is injected into the vessel and images are taken to help identify the site of the blockage and determine how much the blood flow improves during the procedure. 

Many angioplasty procedures also include the placement of a stent, a small flexible tube made of plastic or wire mesh, to support the damaged artery walls. 

At the end of the procedure, the catheter will be removed and pressure will be applied to stop any bleeding. The opening in the skin is then covered with a dressing. No sutures are needed.

The length of the procedure varies depending on the time spent evaluating the vascular system prior to any therapy, as well as the complexity of the treatment. This procedure often is done on an outpatient basis. However, some patients may require hospital admission following the procedure.

Interventional Cardiac Stenting May Be Recommended if You Have:

Arteriovenous Fistula
Atherosclerosis
Carotid Artery Stenosis
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
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