Intracoronary stents: a new approach to coronary artery dilatation

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is a low-risk treatment for proximal and localized coronary artery disease. Two major complications associated with angioplasty are abrupt closure and restenosis of the treated vessel. Abrupt closure requiring intervention occurs in approximately 3.6% of patients; the average restenosis rate reported in the literature is 30%. These difficulties can produce profound hemodynamic compromise requiring additional intervention. PTCA research focuses on methods to treat or prevent abrupt closure and restenosis of the stenotic segment. One new approach to this goal is the use of intracoronary stents after balloon angioplasty to maintain the luminal diameter of the coronary artery. The effectiveness of intracoronary stents is currently being evaluated. This article describes the purpose and design of intracoronary stents and reviews clinical trial results and nursing management of patients with such stents.