About Drug-Eluting Stents

Next-generation coronary stents are now widely available with the introduction of drug-eluting stents. These devices have a medicated (drug) coating to help prevent reclogging of the arteries, or restenosis. With this technology, the drug in the coating is slowly released into the artery wall around the stent to help limit scar tissue during the healing process.

The use of drug-eluting stents (combined with angioplasty) makes non-surgical therapy a treatment option for more patients than ever before. Drug-eluting stents may benefit a patient by preventing restenosis, or reclogging of the arteries after a procedure. A patient’s medical history plus the size, location and number of coronary arteries involved, and the presence of other conditions, will determine if a patient is a good candidate for treatment with a drug-eluting stent. Doctors will evaluate the patient’s condition and recommend the best option available.