http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/images/stent_restenosis.gifWhat Are the Risks of Having a Stent?
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Risks Related to Angioplasty
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Any medical procedure has risks, but major complications from angioplasty are rare. The most common risks from angioplasty include:
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Bleeding from the site where the catheter was inserted into the skin
Damage to the blood vessel from the catheter
Infection
Allergic reaction to the dye used during the procedure
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Damage to the blood vessel from the catheter
Infection
Allergic reaction to the dye used during the procedure
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Another common problem after angioplasty is too much tissue growth within the treated portion of the artery. This can cause the artery to narrow or close again, which is called restenosis. This problem is often avoided with the use of newer stents coated with medicines that help prevent too much tissue growth. Treating the tissue around the stent with radiation also can prevent tissue growth. For this procedure, the doctor puts a wire through a catheter to where the stent is placed. The wire releases radiation and stops cells around the stent from growing and blocking the artery.
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