Stents in Angioplasty- The Global Lifesaver

Changing work patterns supplemented with unhealthy lifestyle and food habits is taking its biggest toll on the human heart. In the last 20 years, heart ailments and related issues have proved to be the biggest killer among people of all age groups and class. More than 16 million people are inflicted with the Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) globally making it the most common form of heart disease. CAD is a regressive heart ailment caused by a condition called Atherosclerosis. In this condition, the heart vessels are clogged with fat molecules, cholesterol, calcium deposits and blood clotting fiber called fibrin. These depositions greatly restrict the flow of blood to the heart leading to weakening of cardiac muscles and inefficient functioning. Heart surgeons recommend several interventional for performing angioplasty.  The most commonly practiced procedures are as follows

1. Balloon angioplasty

2. Stent

3. Rotoblation

4. Atherectomy

5. Cutting Balloon

Among all the above processes, use of the stents in angioplasty is the most common and effective.

Inserting the Stents: The Overview of the Process

Coronary angioplasty is referred to as Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA). The process of inserting stents into the coronary arteries is called as Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI).  The balloon catheter is inserted into the blocked vessel using endoscopic camera assisted by robotic arms. The balloon catheter is inflated and the stents expand into the blocked artery wall. Once locked into the position, the stent expands to fit into the blocked space and gets fixed to the inner walls of the coronary vessels. The stent stays there permanently, preventing the operated artery from collapsing against blood pressure. In many ways, it resembles a module of a spring. The balloon catheter is, then, burst and pulled back. In a lot of instances, there is a strong possibility that the artery can be blocked again. This condition is called Restenosis.

There are 2 medically approved stent types: As per FDA norms, these are:

• Bare-Metal Stents (BMS)

• Drug Eluting Stents (DES)

To prevent restenosis, modern day stents are loaded with molecular agents that prevent fats from depositing on the walls. The agents include aspirin, thrombin and Brillinta. Unlike bypass surgery, stenting requires minimum invasion.  Patients are administered local anesthesia unless multiple stents are to be inserted. This procedure is a safe process and the patient can resume normal chores within 8-10 days post surgery. Despite its effectiveness over the long run, some precautions must be taken after the insertion of stents. Avoiding strenuous exercise or heavy lifting must be followed. Not adhering to regular follow ups may leave the stent wound from damages. The chances of it paving way for infection, blood clots and eventually may lead to death also in certain cases.

Thus following of doctor’s advice is highly advisable to live free of heart risks.

EECP: Keeping heart with care

Introduction:

There was a time when the heart diseases were one of those problems, which were feared by the people more than any problem. It is not that they are not feared in today’s time, but the various treatments, which are available to cure them or to control them, have made people relax on this thing a bit. The time when people used to die suddenly with these problems is long gone. Now the medical science has found the best treatments. Treatments and death rate are increased in comparison to past, but still heart attack is a major disease. Heart attack is the result of many causes, but the primary one is the heart, which cannot move the blood flow as required.

The common reasons of heart failure are high blood pressure, viral infections and diabetes. The medical science has developed many treatments to cure heart failure, but still it claims 6,00,0000 deaths per year.

There are a number of treatments, which can solve the problems related to heart these days and one of the most popular is the EECP treatment. The EECP is the acronym of Enhanced External Counter Pulsation and is considered as the most effective treatment for heart failure.

Process:

This is a treatment, which does not involve any medication before the treatment. There are pneumatic cuffs, which are attached to the legs of the patient from one end, and the other ends of these cuffs are attached to the necessary equipment. With these equipment, the practitioner is able to monitor the heart rate of the patient. The cuffs contract or expand as per the system of the electrocardiogram, which increases the preload and reduces the blood load.

Duration:

This therapy is continued with a person for 7 weeks, which include a session of 2 to 3 hours for five days in a week. This therapy affects the patients, and he feels very much active and peaceful after this treatment is over. This also increases the energy level of the patient.

Popularity:

As the time passes and the patients gain from this treatment, it is gaining more and more popularity in the medical field. Both men and women are equally benefited by this treatment.

Advantage:

This type of treatment has many advantages, which a patient can have. This is a beneficial treatment which takes the patient away from the horrors of surgery. Some of the benefits of EECP treatment are:

· This therapy makes it very easy for the practitioners treat their patients.

· This is a new kind of treatment, which does not need any opening to be made on the body.

· The patients are more relaxed due to the nature of treatment and co-operate with the doctor more easily.

· This kind of therapy is effective for all the patients who are between the ages of 19 years to 97 years.

· With no involvement of any kind of medication, the treatment is free of any kind of potential risk.