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What Are the Most Common Causes of Stent Failure?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Causes of stent failure can include poor placement, the use of bare metal stents, and mechanical fatigue. Success rates can vary by device and medical professional; people with substantial experience in stenting procedures, for example, can experience more positive patient outcomes. In some cases, stent failure happens from the start, when the device cannot be placed properly and another measure needs to be considered to address a narrowed artery.

Stents are used to address stenosis, a medical complication where the walls of an artery thicken and narrow, limiting blood supply. It is a particular concern around the heart, where interruptions in blood supply could cause a heart attack. In an angioplasty procedure, a medical professional can remove built up plaque on the wall of the artery before inserting a stent to hold it open. Stents fail if soft tissue grows over them, narrowing the artery again, or when they buckle, break, or collapse.

After an angioplasty procedure, some stents fail if soft tissue grows over them.
After an angioplasty procedure, some stents fail if soft tissue grows over them.

One potential cause of stent failure is iatrogenic, meaning that it is the doctor’s fault. Some damage to the walls of the artery can occur during placement, which increases the chance of soft tissue growth over the stent. Doctors with more experience working in advanced facilities can be more successful, as can those using devices they know well. Problems with stent design can be a factor as well; some products are hard to insert, for example, which increases the risk of tissue damage.

Stents are used to keep blood vessels free from blockage.
Stents are used to keep blood vessels free from blockage.

Another issue is the construction of the stent. Historically, these devices were made from bare metal, which created an excellent matrix for soft tissue to grow on. Many devices now are designed to slowly secrete drugs over time to block clotting and cell growth. Drug eluting stents, as they are known, tend to experience a higher success rate. If there are concerns about stent failure, this type of device may be recommended.

Interruptions in blood supply could cause a heart attack.
Interruptions in blood supply could cause a heart attack.

Mechanical fatigue can be a factor in stent failure. Metals used in medical devices are subjected to extensive testing, but microscopic analysis of failed stents can show signs of cracks, pitting, bending, and fractures. These indicate that some metals may not be suitable for long-term use, as they could break down over time. Strain might cause the stent to fail, putting the patient at risk of a serious medical complication if the issue cannot be identified in time. When a failure is linked to obvious metal fatigue, it can be reported to a medical database, allowing regulators to monitor the ongoing safety of specific devices on the market and ultimately determining if they should remain available for sale.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon998365

My sister had 5 stents put in the right side of the heart and now he can't lay down and she is sick throwing up hives and can't sleep. Could these stents be failing?

anon998275

In our small community, within weeks, two men in their late 50's had heart attacks, had stents placed, and both days later died. Is there a new stent design that is problematic?

anon346115

@anon334157: I'd like to know who wrote the answer above. Are you a doctor or in the medical field. If not, what are your sources for the information above? Thanks!

anon334157

The stent didn't collapse. It was a stent thrombosis. She should take prasugrel or ticagrelor instead of clopidogrel.

anon239667

My pastor was admitted to the hospital last week with a heart attack. The angiogram showed right coronary artery 100 percent blocked and a stent was placed.

She was sent home after four days, and now last night she was re-admitted because the stent collapsed (she almost died). The doctor who replaced it says it must have been her medications that caused it because both the stent and the placement were good, and this was a different doctor than the one who did first stent.

Can medication cause a stent to collapse in just a few days after placement? Really?

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    • After an angioplasty procedure, some stents fail if soft tissue grows over them.
      By: designua
      After an angioplasty procedure, some stents fail if soft tissue grows over them.
    • Stents are used to keep blood vessels free from blockage.
      By: Alexandr Mitiuc
      Stents are used to keep blood vessels free from blockage.
    • Interruptions in blood supply could cause a heart attack.
      By: Ljupco Smokovski
      Interruptions in blood supply could cause a heart attack.
    • Medications may be helpful in managing pain associated with a fracture.
      By: Pakhay Oleksandr
      Medications may be helpful in managing pain associated with a fracture.
    • During angioplasty, a small balloon device is threaded into an artery and inflated at the site of a blockage.
      By: 7activestudio
      During angioplasty, a small balloon device is threaded into an artery and inflated at the site of a blockage.
    • A microscopic analysis of failed stents can show signs of cracks, pitting, bending, and fractures.
      By: 18percentgrey
      A microscopic analysis of failed stents can show signs of cracks, pitting, bending, and fractures.
    • In the event of stent failure, other means must be taken to address a narrowed artery.
      By: Oculo
      In the event of stent failure, other means must be taken to address a narrowed artery.