Coronary Heart Disease: How Long Does Stent Surgery Take?

Coronary heart disease can be effectively treated with a minimally invasive procedure involving the placement of a stent in the coronary artery. The entire surgery typically lasts around one hour. As a form of interventional cardiology, this procedure is much less invasive than traditional open-heart surgery, which contributes to the shorter duration and faster recovery time.

Understanding the Stent Placement Procedure

The process of implanting a coronary stent is quite similar to that of a coronary angiogram. It begins with a small puncture in a peripheral artery, most commonly the radial artery in the wrist. A thin catheter is then carefully guided through the arterial system to the heart, where it reaches the affected coronary artery. This method ensures that the incision is minimal and localized, reducing both the risk and healing time.

Factors Affecting Surgery Duration

While most procedures are completed within an hour, certain complexities can extend the surgery time to 1.5 or even 2 hours. Conditions such as chronic total occlusions, lesions at the bifurcation of a vessel, or multiple vessel involvement require additional precision and care, which can prolong the procedure. However, even in these cases, the minimally invasive nature of the surgery ensures a relatively quick process compared to traditional surgical alternatives.

Recovery and Anesthesia Considerations

One of the significant advantages of stent placement is the minimal recovery time. Since the procedure is performed under local anesthesia, patients avoid the risks and prolonged recovery associated with general anesthesia. The small puncture wound at the radial artery site typically heals quickly, allowing patients to resume normal activities within a few days.

Why Stent Placement is Preferred

Stent implantation is not only efficient in terms of time but also highly effective in restoring blood flow to the heart muscle. By using a catheter-based approach, cardiologists can precisely place the stent at the site of the blockage, immediately opening up the narrowed artery. This results in rapid symptom relief and improved cardiac function, making it a preferred treatment option for many patients with coronary artery disease.