When the stent reaches the end of its lifespan, can it be replaced?
Jun 04, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Tian Hongbo
Introduction
Stents usually refer to cardiac stents. When the lifespan of a cardiac stent is reached, appropriate treatments can be performed, but it cannot be replaced. A cardiac stent is a medical device used to treat cardiovascular diseases. It is implanted via coronary artery intervention surgery, forming a scaffold within the walls of narrowed blood vessels to restore normal blood flow. Under normal circumstances, the lifespan of a cardiac stent ranges from several years to about ten years.
Stent usually refers to a cardiac stent. When the lifespan of a cardiac stent ends, appropriate treatments can be performed, but it cannot be replaced. The detailed explanation is as follows:
A cardiac stent is a medical device used to treat cardiovascular diseases. It is implanted via coronary intervention surgery, forming a scaffold within the walls of narrowed blood vessels to restore normal blood flow. Generally, the lifespan of a cardiac stent ranges from several years to about ten years, depending on multiple factors such as stent type, material, and the patient's physiological condition. Once a cardiac stent reaches the end of its lifespan, it typically cannot be replaced. This is because the stent has already become tightly integrated with the vascular endothelium and cannot be removed from the body; attempting to replace it may cause further harm. If a patient develops symptoms such as myocardial ischemia, chest pain, or hypoxia due to issues like in-stent restenosis, they should receive appropriate medical treatment under a doctor's guidance rather than having the stent directly replaced.
After receiving a cardiac stent, patients need to take medication for life to prevent thrombosis, stabilize atherosclerotic plaques, and lower low-density lipoprotein levels. This helps maximize the effectiveness of the stent and prevent complications such as restenosis.
