There are two kinds of stents—bare-metal stents (uncoated), and drug-coated
stents (coated).
- Bare-Metal Stent
The quality of bare-metal stents has consistently improved since they were first
introduced in the U.S. in 1994. Bare-metal stents provide structural support to
help keep the cleared artery open after angioplasty. Bare-metal stents help to prevent
the artery from re-narrowing and the need for a repeat procedure. The medical name
for this narrowing is stenosis, so when it occurs again, it is called "re-stenosis"
or simply, restenosis. However, about 25% of the time, the arteries may become
blocked up again after placement of a bare-metal stent.
- Drug-Coated Stent
A drug-coated stent is a bare-metal stent with a special drug coating. It has the
same support benefits as a bare-metal stent for keeping the artery open after angioplasty.
In addition, the stent releases a drug over time to further reduce the chance of
re-blockage. Arteries commonly become blocked up again about 7% of the time with
drug-coated stents compared to about 25% for bare-metal stents.
Both bare-metal and drug-coated stents have been proven safe when used in accordance
with their labeling. In fact, both types of stents have a similar low risk of heart
attack and death.