As the largest artery in the human body, the aortic artery starts at the top of the heart to deliver blood from the muscular pumping chamber called the left ventricle. The heart pumps oxygenated blood from the left ventricle through the aortic valve into the aorta artery. Three openings located on the aortic valve open and close in unison with every heartbeat to ensure the timely one-way delivery of blood. The aorta artery includes several protective walls, with one or more of the wall layers susceptible to blood clotting and or the growth of an aneurysm.
The team of experienced heart specialists at our clinic quickly react to aneurysms and blood clots by performing a procedure called aortic artery stenting.
WHAT IS A STENT?
Designed with fine mesh, a stent is a very small medical instrument used to open an artery and keep it open indefinitely. Fatty deposits referred to as plaque can build up within aortic artery walls to produce blood clots. You can also experience one or more of the artery walls bulging out to create an aneurysm. When plaque or an aneurysm develops inside of the aortic artery, the result is reduced blood flow that can cause a wide variety of medical complications. If left untreated, a diseased aortic artery can trigger a stroke or a heart attack. Our highly rated team of cardiovascular specialists treatpatients with stents to avoid the longer recovery process that happens after performing coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG).
TYPES OF STENTS
We firmly believe education is the most effective way to mitigate the concerns of our patients who require cardiovascular intervention. Not only do we discuss the procedure of stenting with our patients, we also describe the five options available for performing the non-surgical procedure.
DUAL THERAPY STENT (DTS)
As the most recently developed type of stent, a Dual Therapy Stent decreases the chances of an artery wall returning to a narrow state. A DTS also speeds up the healing process of the area of the aortic artery where we removed a blood clot or impeded the growth of an aneurysm. As a revolutionary new stent, the DTS contains a drug possessing healing properties that coats both the inside and outside of an artery wall. The DTS surface facing an artery wall releases the drug to reduce swelling.
BIO ENGINEERED STENT (BES)
Also called an antibody coated stent, a bio engineered stent does not contain a polymer and it does not release a drug that promotes faster healing. A BES is used to increase the healing rate of the cell lining of an aortic artery. The lack of a polymer and drug is called endothelialization, which is just afancy word to describe the natural healing process of the aortic artery.
DRUG ELUTING STENT (DES)
Up until the introduction of the Dual Therapy Stent, the Drug Eluting Stent represented the most popular type of stent used by doctors to increase blood flow rates from the heart. A DES releases a drug that prevents the development of scar tissue along the lining of an aortic artery wall. The prevention of scar tissue development ensures a strong blood flow, as well as dramatically decreases the likelihood of an aortic artery re-narrowing. When we implant a DES, we remind our patients to follow our recommendation for drug therapy. The current American Heart Association recommendations for drug therapy include a provision to follow the drug therapy program for a minimum of 12 months following the implant of a DES.
BIORESORBABLE VASCULAR SCAFFOLD
Designed to ensure stability, a Bioresorbable Scaffold supports a stent that time releases a drug inside of the aortic artery. The scaffold slowly dissolves into the tissue surrounding the heart, which is an event you will never feel. We use Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffold stenting for patients who have aortic artery walls that are not strong enough to firmly grip a standard stent.
BARE METAL STENT
Typically designed with long lasting stainless steel, bare metal stents do not contain a medicated coating. After we increase the width of the aortic artery, we will use a bare metal stent to ensure the artery wall remains open for optimal blood flow. During the healing, process new aortic artery tissue grows over the stent, which holds a bare metal stent in place.
WHAT IS AORTIC ARTERY STENTING?
Aortic artery stenting involves the use of long, very thin tubs called catheters. Dr. Chadda makes a small incision in one of the arms, legs, or in the groin area and then he carefully threads the catheter to the site of an aneurysm or a blood clot within the aortic artery. For an aneurysm, the stent relines the aorta artery to prevent blood from feeding the diseased section of the artery. We also perform stenting inside of the aortic artery to eliminate blood clots.
Dr. Chadda and the team of accomplished cardiovascular experts will help you decide not only if stenting is for you, but also help you decide which type of stent will work best to alleviate your heart condition.
Contact our clinic to schedule an initial consultation to discuss aortic artery stenting.