A stent is a small, expandable mesh tube (made of fabric or metal) that can be placed inside an artery or vein to help support the vessel’s inner wall and keep the vessel open. Placement can help to improve blood flow and also prevent the vessel from bursting.
Benefits
– Minimally invasive, significantly improves blood flow
During The Procedure
Patients are mildly sedated through an IV. Once sedated the surgeon will insert a catheter through a small incision in your skin and feed it through the vein. Contrast medium is injected into the vessel while an x-ray is used to take picture images of the vein. Using these images as a guide, the provider assesses the vein for any blockage or narrowing. A balloon may then be inflated to widen the passage through the vein. To hold the vein open, a stent may then be inserted.
After The Procedure
At your doctor’s discretion, you may generally return to normal activities within a few days.