Do You Always Need a Stent After a Balloon Angioplasty?

Balloon angioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure used to restore healthy blood flow by widening narrowed or blocked arteries. It’s been a game-changer in reducing the risks of heart attack, stroke, and other life-threatening events.

A stent placed inside the artery during the procedure reinforces blood vessel walls at the blockage site, helping to keep the artery open and the blood flowing after angioplasty.

Balloon angioplasty is just one of many specialty services our team at Premier Cardiology Consultants in New York City offers to protect your cardiovascular health.    

Here’s our take on the benefits of stenting and why we often recommend it along with balloon angioplasty.

Balloon angioplasty

Arteries are the blood vessels that carry freshly oxygenated blood throughout the body. Blockages leading to disruption in arterial blood flow can quickly threaten your health, leading to heart attack, stroke, and other life-threatening events.

Balloon angioplasty opens arteries narrowed or blocked by fatty deposits (plaque) that impede vital blood flow. Most people associate angioplasty with the heart. However, it’s also valuable in treating peripheral artery disease (PAD), causing blocked arteries in other areas, such as those supplying blood to the legs.

During the procedure, your specialist threads a thin catheter through a blood vessel to the affected artery. At the tip is a small balloon that’s inflated to push plaque against the artery walls. This opens the artery and improves circulation.

Enter the stent

Although balloon angioplasty clears an opening through a blockage, the artery is often vulnerable to future collapse. Based on the location, level of blockage, and artery type, your Premier Cardiology Consultants specialist usually recommends placing a stent along with balloon angioplasty.

A stent is a tiny wire mesh tube. It’s placed during angioplasty to help keep the artery open long-term. Once the balloon opens the artery, the stent is expanded and left behind to support and reinforce the blood vessel walls.

Stents are often coated with medicines that help prevent future artery narrowing. Since every case is different, your specialist discusses the pros and cons of stent placement in detail before scheduling the procedure.  

So, do you need a stent or not?

Stents have improved angioplasty outcomes dramatically, especially in heart attack patients or those with high-risk blockages. Our team usually recommends stenting along with balloon angioplasty.

However, scenarios that may not require a stent include:

Temporary narrowing or spasm

Sometimes arteries narrow due to temporary spasms or reversible causes. Once the balloon is inflated, the vessel may stay open without further support.

Small or side branch vessels

Stenting very small arteries or complex side branches might not offer significant benefit and can increase the risk of complications.

Patient factors

If someone is at high risk of bleeding and cannot safely take blood-thinning medications needed after stent placement, your specialist may recommend balloon angioplasty without stenting.

Your Premier Cardiology Consultants specialist will weigh the benefits versus the risks of stenting, often using imaging tools and pressure measurements to make the call during the procedure.

The best treatment is the one tailored to you. Schedule a visit at Premier Cardiology Consultants today to learn more about customized treatments that fit your needs.