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Drug-Eluting Stent Treatment for
Coronary Artery Disease

In addition to providing structural support to the artery, some newer-generation stents, like the Endeavor® drug-eluting stent, also have a medicated coating to help prevent re-clogging. After the drug-eluting stent is implanted in the artery, it releases the medication at the right dosage directly into the artery wall during a period of weeks.

Reduced Risk of Restenosis

The medicine helps to limit the normal scar tissue growth that occurs around the stent after it is implanted. Too much scar tissue growth can be a major cause of restenosis, or renarrowing of the artery.

Risk of Blood Clots

Although drug-eluting stents are more effective than bare metal stents at keeping arteries open, they may also carry an additional risk. Some research suggests that people who receive a drug-eluting stent may be at higher risk of having thrombosis, or a blood clot, form inside their stent than people with a bare metal stent. Other research has not shown this. Because drug-eluting stents are relatively new, long-term results are not yet available.

Although thrombosis is rare, blood clots can potentially be deadly. For this reason, people who receive a drug-eluting stent need to take an anticlotting medication for an extended period of time, sometimes a year or longer. Follow your doctor’s instructions about how long to take your medicine. If you are not able to take such medication regularly, a bare metal stent may be a better choice for you.

Drug-coated stents are not appropriate for every patient with coronary artery disease. Your doctor can advise you on whether you are a good candidate for this treatment option.

 

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