What is mortality rate after getting stent inserted?
Patient: My mother had a cypher stent placed in her artery. She did not have a heart attack but her artery had collapsed and they caught it before anything more serious happened. She is very concerned that her life is shortened and is worrying that her life will be drastically decreased as multiple people she has known died within seven years of a stent procedure. She is getting very stressed about this because she cannot get an answer about her mortality rate, I want her to stop stressing as obviously its not good for her, so please advise if her mortality rate is effected in anyway due to the circumstnce. Doctor: Hello Welcome to HCM Angioplasty or stent implantation is a very reliable treatment for heart blockages. Now a days with the drug eluting stent the chances of stent narrowing again or not being accepted by the body has decreased significantly. The cypher stent is a drug eluting stent. Drug eluting stents usually remain patent for 10-12 years. With regular check ups with ECG, 2 d echo and stress test any possible complications can be diagnosed and avoided. Also a lot depends on the pumping function of the heart. If the person has sustained a heart attack earlier and the heart pumping function (LVEF) had decreased, then the life expectancy goes downm But this is due to the damage caused by the attack and not because of the stent placement. People with decreased pumping function and with stents also do well if proper precautions are taken and medications are taken regularly. In my practice I have seen people with stents doing well even after 40 years requiring no additional procedures except routine tests and check angiographies every 10 years. So please stop worrying about the life expectancy. It is quite good. One of the indications of putting in a stent is to improve the quality of life and expectancy. She should be compliant on her medications and regular brisk walking or cycling with diet restrictions.A health check up should be done every one year with ECG, 2d echo and a stress test.Wishing her good healthRegards.