Results for “medical devices”
Stent Placement
** Stent placement is a minimally invasive medical procedure that inserts a tiny tube‑like scaffold to keep a narrowed or weakened blood vessel, duct, or organ passage open. **CONTENT:** ## Overview Stent placement, often called **angioplasty with stenting**, is a cornerstone of modern interventional cardiology, radiology, and gastroenterology. The procedure involves delivering a **metallic or polymeric scaffold**—the stent—via a catheter to the site of a narrowed lumen, such as a coronary artery, peripheral artery, or biliary duct. Once positioned, the stent expands (either self‑expanding or balloon‑expanded) and remains permanently, providing structural support that prevents recoil or collapse of the vessel wall. By restoring adequate blood flow or drainage, stents relieve symptoms like chest pain, claudication, or jaundice and reduce the risk of life‑threatening events such as myocardial infarction or organ failure. The technique is performed under imaging guidance (fluoroscopy, ultrasound, or CT) and typically requires only local anesthesia and mild sedation. Patients usually stay in the hospital for a short observation period, and most can resume normal activities within days. However, **antiplatelet therapy** is essential after many stent placements to prevent clot formation on the device, and lifelong follow‑up imaging may be recommended to monitor for restenosis or stent fracture. While stenting is highly effective, it is not a cure for the underlying disease. Lifestyle modification, medication adherence, and regular medical review remain critical. Anyone experiencing recurrent chest pain, worsening limb ischemia, or signs of infection after a stent should seek immediate professional care. ## History/Background The concept of propping open a vessel dates back to the early 20th century, when surgeons experimented with **silicone tubes** to treat ureteral strictures. The modern era began in the 1970s with the development of **balloon angioplasty** by Dr. Andreas Grüntzig, which temporarily dilated coronary lesions but suffered from high rates of elastic recoil. In 1986, the first **bare‑metal stent (BMS)**—the Palmaz–Schatz stent—received FDA approval, revolutionizing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) by providing a permanent scaffold. Throughout the 1990s, improvements in stent design (thinner struts, more flexible alloys) and the introduction of **drug‑eluting stents (DES)**, which release antiproliferative medication to curb neointimal hyperplasia, dramatically lowered restenosis rates. Parallel advances extended stenting to peripheral arteries, carotid arteries, and non‑vascular lumens such as the esophagus, trachea, and biliary tree. By the 2020s, bioresorbable scaffolds and fully covered stents for complex anatomies entered clinical practice, reflecting ongoing innovation. ## Key Information - **Types of stents:** - **Bare‑metal stents (BMS):** Simple metal scaffolds, still used when prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy is contraindicated. - **Drug‑eluting stents (DES):** Coated with agents like sirolimus or paclitaxel to inhibit tissue growth; the most common coronary stents today. - **Bioresorbable scaffolds:** Made of polymers that gradually dissolve, potentially reducing long‑term complications. - **Covered stents:** Wrapped in a synthetic membrane, employed for aneurysm exclusion or perforation repair. - **Procedure steps:** 1. Vascular access (usually femoral or radial artery). 2. Guidewire navigation to the lesion under fluoroscopy. 3. Pre‑dilation with a balloon (optional). 4. Stent delivery and deployment. 5. Post‑dilation to ensure optimal apposition. - **Complications:** Acute vessel dissection, thrombosis, bleeding at the access site, contrast‑induced nephropathy, and rare stent fracture. Long‑term risks include **in‑stent restenosis** and **late stent thrombosis**, especially if antiplatelet therapy is stopped prematurely. - **Post‑procedure care:** Dual antiplatelet therapy (aspirin plus a P2Y12 inhibitor) for 6–12 months for most DES, followed by lifelong aspirin in many protocols. Lifestyle changes—smoking cessation, diet, exercise—are essential to prevent disease progression. - **Success rates:** Contemporary DES achieve >90 % patency at one year in coronary arteries, with major adverse cardiac event (MACE) rates below 5 % in most trials. Peripheral and biliary stents show similar short‑term efficacy, though restenosis remains a challenge in some territories. ## Significance Stent placement transformed the management of **atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease**, shifting many patients from open‑heart surgery to percutaneous solutions with lower morbidity, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery. The technology has also broadened therapeutic options for non‑cardiac conditions, such as relieving malignant airway obstruction, maintaining pancreatic duct drainage, and treating congenital vascular anomalies. Economically, stenting reduces the need for costly surgical suites and intensive postoperative care, though the price of drug‑eluting devices and required medications remains a consideration for health systems. Beyond clinical outcomes, stent development spurred advances in **biomaterials, imaging, and pharmacology**, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. Ongoing research into **bio‑resorbable scaffolds**, **nanocoatings**, and **personalized stent sizing** promises to further improve safety and efficacy, potentially eliminating the need for lifelong antiplatelet therapy. As cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, stent placement continues to be a vital, life‑saving tool—yet patients must remain vigilant, adhere to medication regimens, and seek professional evaluation for any new or worsening symptoms. **INFOBOX:** - Name: Stent Placement (Percutaneous Stent Implantation) - Type: Minimally Invasive Interventional Procedure - Date: First FDA‑approved coronary stent – 1994 (BMS); first drug‑eluting stent – 2003 (DES) - Location: Primarily cardiac catheterization labs; also interventional radiology suites, endoscopy units, and operating rooms for non‑vascular applications - Known For: Providing durable lumen support, reducing need for open surgery, and dramatically lowering restenosis rates with drug‑eluting technology **TAGS:** cardiology, interventional radiology, drug‑eluting stent, peripheral artery disease, biliary obstruction, minimally invasive surgery, medical devices, patient safety
Economics & BusinessJohnson and Johnson
**Johnson & Johnson** **Johnson & Johnson** is a multinational pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical technologies corporation headquartered in New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States. As one of
Economics & BusinessMcKesson Corporation
**McKesson Corporation** **McKesson Corporation** is a multinational American healthcare company that specializes in the distribution of pharmaceuticals, health information technology, medical suppli