针对冠状动脉疾病的有用工具
When your coronary arteries become narrowed by plaque, it’s known as coronary artery disease (CAD). This condition can interrupt the flow of blood to your heart. If your heart can’t get enough oxygen-rich blood, it can become damaged. That means you’re at greater risk of having a heart attack.
If you have CAD, your doctor may recommend using a stent to treat it. During a procedure called a coronary angioplasty, a surgeon will insert a stent into your coronary artery. A stent is a small tube made of metal mesh. It’s designed to support your artery walls and prevent plaque from blocking your blood flow. It can help your blood flow more freely to your heart.
根据发表在美国家庭医生，大约有40％的患有血管成形术的人没有支架经历再狭窄。这意味着手术后的动脉再次变窄。当使用裸架执行过程时，该数字下降到约30％。使用洗脱支架时，它会下降到不到10％。
A drug-eluting stent is coated with time-release medicine. That medication is gradually released into your blood vessel to prevent it from becoming blocked again.
外科医生可以使用冠状动脉成形术手术将支架插入冠状动脉。对于此过程，您可能只需要局部麻醉。完成可能需要30分钟到几个小时。
首先，您的外科医生会在腹股沟或手臂上做一个小切口。他们会将一个带有气球的小导管插入切口。使用特殊的染料和复杂的成像技术，它们将引导导管通过您的身体并进入狭窄的冠状动脉。然后，他们将膨胀气球以扩大您的动脉，并将斑块堆积在一边。随着它的膨胀，气球将扩大支架以使您的动脉打开。接下来，您的外科医生将卸下气球和导管，同时将支架留在后面。
如果您的外科医生插入了洗脱支架，它将直接将药物释放到您的动脉中。该药物将有助于防止疤痕组织在支架内形成并再次缩小血管。手术后，您可能还需要服用其他药物，包括血液稀释剂。当您恢复时，您的动脉将开始在支架周围愈合。这将赋予它增加的力量。
洗脱冠状动脉支架可以帮助防止斑块积聚，促进您的心脏良好的血液流动，并缓解胸痛。他们也可能会降低您的心脏病发作的机会。
插入支架的手术比冠状动脉搭桥手术少得多，冠状动脉搭桥手术通常适用于两个以上狭窄的动脉的人。大多数人在插入支架后的几天内康复。相比之下，从冠状动脉搭桥手术中恢复可能需要您六个星期或更长时间。支架可以帮助您更快地恢复常规时间表。
Most people can safely tolerate drug-eluting stents. But like any medical procedure, coronary angioplasty and stenting do involve some risks, including:
- allergic reaction to the anesthetic, dyes, or other materials used
- kidney damage caused by the dye
- bleeding or clotting
- damage to your blood vessel
- scarring of your blood vessel
- 感染
- abnormal heart rhythm, known as arrhythmia
- 心脏病发作或中风，这是罕见的
In the event that scar tissue forms after stenting, your doctor may need to repeat the procedure. Report any chest pain to your doctor immediately. It could be a sign of a serious complication.
心脏病的常见危险因素包括高胆固醇，高血压和超重。您可以大大降低发展阻塞动脉的风险或通过锻炼健康的习惯而患心脏病。例如，营养饮食和定期运动可以使您的心脏坚强和健康大有帮助。如果您抽烟，现在将是戒烟的好时机。
If you’re diagnosed with CAD, follow your doctor’s instructions to treat it and prevent complications. Drug-eluting stents are a great option for people with one or two narrowed coronary arteries, but they’re only one part of the solution. You may also need to take statins, aspirin, or other medications. Take your medications as prescribed by your doctor and follow their recommendations for a heart-healthy lifestyle.