Coronary Stent | Prof. Dr. Osman Beton | MediHeart Medical Center Güzelyurt
A coronary stent is one of the interventional cardiology methods applied in the treatment of severe narrowing and blockages in the vessels feeding the heart. Get detailed information about coronary stent treatment performed by Prof. Dr. Osman Beton at MediHeart Medical Center Güzelyurt.
Coronary Stent
A coronary stent is one of the interventional cardiology methods used in the treatment of severe narrowing or blockage developing in the coronary vessels that supply the heart. When an adequate amount of oxygen cannot reach the heart muscle due to coronary artery disease, serious clinical conditions such as chest pain, shortness of breath, decreased exercise capacity, and in some patients, heart attacks may occur. In such cases, the vascular structure is evaluated via coronary angiography, and in suitable patients, placing a stent following balloon angioplasty aims to keep the vessel re-opened. Stent application is an interventional treatment option aimed at improving blood flow, and its necessity for each patient is determined as a result of a detailed cardiological evaluation.
At MediHeart Medical Center Güzelyurt Cardiology Department, coronary stent applications are planned by Prof. Dr. Osman Beton, with his experience in interventional cardiology, by evaluating the patient’s clinical findings, coronary angiography results, and general health status together. The treatment process is not limited solely to stent application. A personalized treatment plan is established by addressing pre-procedure evaluation, the approach during the procedure, and post-procedure medical therapy alongside lifestyle recommendations together. For patients living in TRNC, Güzelyurt, Cyprus, and North Cyprus, approaches in line with current scientific guidelines are adopted for the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of coronary artery disease.
What is a Coronary Stent?
A coronary stent is a metallic mesh medical implant placed following balloon angioplasty to support keeping the vessel open internally. Placed into the narrowed area within the vessel, the stent helps regulate blood flow by ensuring the re-expansion of the vessel.
Today, the most frequently used stents are drug-eluting stents. These stents feature specialized drug coatings that can help reduce the risk of re-narrowing within the vessel. However, which stent type to use is determined in accordance with the vessel structure, characteristics of the stenosis, patient’s age, accompanying diseases, and the evaluation of the interventional cardiology specialist.
Coronary stent application may not be necessary in every coronary vessel stenosis. While medical therapy is sufficient in some patients, bypass surgery may be a more suitable option in others. Therefore, the treatment decision must be made as a result of an individual evaluation.
Who Can Undergo Coronary Stenting?
Coronary stent treatment can be applied in patients in whom narrowing or blockage significantly affecting blood flow in the vessel is detected during coronary angiography and who are considered likely to benefit from interventional treatment.
Situations where a coronary stent can be applied may include:
Detection of severe vascular stenosis on coronary angiography
Opening of the occluded vessel during a heart attack
Chest pain persisting despite medical therapy
Chest pain and shortness of breath developing during exertion
Coronary artery diseases impairing blood supply to the heart muscle
Certain high-risk coronary artery lesions
Not every vascular stenosis requires a stent. The treatment decision is made by taking into account the degree of stenosis, patient complaints, the level of impact on the heart muscle, and other cardiological evaluations.
How is Coronary Stent Application Performed?
The coronary stent procedure is an interventional treatment performed during or after coronary angiography. The procedure can mostly be performed via the radial artery in the wrist, and in some patients, via the femoral vessel in the groin. Local anesthesia is applied to the access site, and the narrowed coronary vessel is reached with the help of thin catheters.
The area containing the stenosis is first expanded with a special balloon. Then, the stent in its folded state is placed in the same area, and by inflating the balloon, it is ensured to adhere to the vessel wall. When the balloon is withdrawn, the stent remains inside the vessel and supports keeping the vessel open.
After the procedure, the coronary vessel is visualized again to evaluate whether blood flow is adequate. The goal is not only to open the vessel, but also to provide blood flow reaching the heart muscle in the most optimal way.
Advantages of a Coronary Stent
Coronary stent treatment is one of the effective interventional cardiology applications helping restore blood flow within the coronary vessel in suitable patients. The objective of treatment is not only to relieve vascular stenosis, but also to contribute to increasing the patient’s quality of life by supporting adequate blood supply to the heart muscle.
Primary advantages that coronary stent application can provide include:
Can help restore blood flow in the coronary vessel.
Can contribute to reducing chest pain and complaints developing during exertion.
Can support oxygenation of the heart muscle in suitable patients.
Can offer an interventional treatment option in many patients not requiring open-heart surgery.
Many patients can return to their daily lives within a short time following the procedure.
When applied during a heart attack, it can contribute to preserving heart muscle under suitable conditions.
Outcomes to be achieved in every patient are different. The success of treatment depends not only on stent application, but also on regular medication use, controlling risk factors, and lifestyle modifications.
Post-Coronary Stent Recovery Process
After coronary stent application, the patient is kept under observation for a specific period. Blood pressure, heart rhythm, and the access site are regularly monitored. If the patient’s general condition is suitable, most individuals can be discharged within the timeframe deemed appropriate by the physician.
In the recovery period, regular usage of medications recommended by the physician carries great importance. Particularly, dual antiplatelet (blood thinner) therapy used in patients with stent placement must not be interrupted during the recommended duration. Discontinuing these medications without a doctor’s recommendation can lead to serious risks such as clot formation within the stent.
In addition, for long-term cardiovascular health, it is important for patients to:
Quit smoking,
Keep cholesterol and blood pressure values under control,
Maintain regular diabetes treatment,
Eat a balanced diet,
Engage in regular physical activity,
Not miss follow-up appointments.
Potential Risks of a Coronary Stent
Coronary stent application ranks among treatment methods considered safe when performed under appropriate conditions by experienced interventional cardiology teams. Nevertheless, as with any interventional procedure, certain risks cannot be completely eliminated.
Rarely observed complications may include:
Bleeding or bruising at the access site,
Vascular damage,
Allergic reaction related to contrast media,
Cardiac rhythm disorders,
Transient impact on kidney functions,
Re-narrowing within the stent,
Stent thrombosis (clot formation).
In reducing these risks, correct patient selection, proper stent choice, performance of the procedure by an experienced team, and adherence to medication therapy post-procedure play an important role.
Prof. Dr. Osman Beton’s Approach to Coronary Stenting
Prof. Dr. Osman Beton, serving at MediHeart Medical Center Güzelyurt Cardiology Department, does not evaluate the necessity for a coronary stent based solely on angiography images. A personalized treatment plan is established by evaluating the patient’s complaints, physical examination findings, ECG, echocardiography, laboratory results, and other cardiological examinations together.
Stent application is not required for every patient with coronary artery disease. While medical therapy is sufficient in some patients, bypass surgery may be a more suitable option in others. The treatment approach is determined entirely according to the clinical characteristics of the patient.
The goal in the evaluation process conducted by Prof. Dr. Osman Beton is not only to treat existing vascular stenosis, but to establish a holistic plan aimed at preserving the patient’s long-term cardiovascular health.
MediHeart Medical Center Güzelyurt offers diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up services in the field of interventional cardiology to patients applying from TRNC, as well as different regions of Cyprus, Cyprus, and North Cyprus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a coronary stent permanent?
Yes. A coronary stent is left permanently inside the vessel. After stent placement, regular medication use and doctor check-ups are essential parts of the treatment.
How long does coronary stent application take?
The duration of the procedure can vary depending on vascular structure, the number of stenoses, and the intervention to be applied. Most procedures are completed within 30 to 90 minutes.
Can one return to normal life after a coronary stent?
If the patient’s general condition is suitable, many individuals can return to daily life within a short time. However, physician recommendations regarding heavy physical activities and return-to-work duration must be taken into account.
Is it necessary to use medication after getting a coronary stent?
Yes. Regular usage of blood thinners after stent application is an integral part of the treatment. Medications must not be discontinued without a doctor’s recommendation.
Can a coronary stent clog again?
The risk of re-narrowing or clot development over time in the stented vessel is not completely eliminated. For this reason, regular follow-up, compliance with medical therapy, and healthy lifestyle habits hold great importance.
Conclusion
A coronary stent is one of the important interventional cardiology methods used in the treatment of severe vascular narrowing due to coronary artery disease. When applied in the right patient with appropriate indications, it can contribute to re-opening vessels supplying the heart and executing the treatment plan effectively. However, for stent treatment to be successful, not only the procedure itself, but also post-procedural medical therapy, regular cardiology check-ups, and lifestyle changes carry immense importance.
In evaluations conducted by Prof. Dr. Osman Beton at MediHeart Medical Center Güzelyurt Cardiology Department, each patient is handled individually, and the necessity of a coronary stent is determined in line with international cardiology guidelines. Patients wishing to get detailed information about coronary stent treatment or plan an interventional cardiology evaluation in TRNC, Güzelyurt, Cyprus, and North Cyprus can be informed about the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment options for themselves following a specialist physician examination.