CORONARY STENTS

April 2, 2019

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has approved a hike in the price of coronary stents (bare metal stents as well as of Drug eluting/biodegradable stents). Last year, the Central government slashed rates of coronary stents by up to 85%.

Terminology:

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) happens when a waxy substance called plaque builds up on the inner walls of coronary arteries. This causes arteries to harden and narrow, decreasing blood flow to heart.
Coronary stents are small, wire, mesh tubes that help widen a clogged artery and restore adequate blood flow to the heart.

Working:

During the procedure, cardiologist places the stent over a thin, long tube with a balloon tip called a catheter and insert it into an artery in groin or arm.
Once the stent reaches the clogged artery, doctor will inflate the balloon to expand the stent.
When the stent reaches the desired size to widen the clogged artery, doctor will deflate and remove the balloon.
The stent will stay in place permanently to help prop open the artery and decrease its chance of narrowing again.
Over time, the inner lining of the artery grows over the surface of the stent, making it a permanent part of artery.