With the increasing incidence of coronary artery diseases in the present era, there has been a dire need for the coronary stent procedure (mesh) to widen narrowed arteries so that blood can reach the heart effectively.
The coronary stent procedure in Turkey is one of the most common surgeries and may be one of the most performed cardiovascular surgeries within Turkish territories. Often, elderly individuals, especially smokers, suffer from the problem of coronary artery narrowing, which causes several symptoms, including angina and shortness of breath. This necessitates a procedure where a small coronary stent is placed to expand the narrowed artery and alleviate the severity of these symptoms before the patient’s condition worsens and requires open-heart surgery for treatment.
You may have several questions about how the coronary stent procedure is performed, what the success rate of the procedure is, how beneficial it is in relieving your symptoms, and whether there are any potential risks associated with the stent. Follow along with this article to answer all of these questions and learn everything you need to know about coronary stent surgery in Turkey, including its cost.
How is the coronary stent installed in Turkey?
The coronary stent, or mesh, is a metal device shaped like a small tube that is inserted into the blocked artery to expand it. The installation of the coronary stent is done through a procedure known as cardiac catheterization. Catheterization is performed by inserting a long tube through the leg or arm vessels until this tube reaches the heart’s arteries. The catheter tube is guided with the help of X-rays until the doctor reaches the coronary arteries and then proceeds to install the coronary stent inside the narrowed artery by expanding it with a balloon to keep it open until the stent is placed.
The coronary stent improves blood flow, reducing symptoms such as shortness of breath and chest pain. Additionally, the stent reduces the risk of sudden heart attack (clot) and usually prevents the artery from narrowing again. You can contact our medical team if you have any questions about the stent procedure and to guide you to the best cardiovascular surgeons in Turkey.
Reasons for installing a coronary stent
The primary function of the stent is to keep the coronary arteries open so that blood flows well through them. Any disease or problem that leads to blockage and narrowing of these arteries is one of the reasons for installing heart stents.
Coronary artery disease, also known as “coronary artery disease,” affects more than 200 million people worldwide and is the third leading cause of death. Unfortunately, the incidence of this disease increases over time for several reasons related to the unhealthy lifestyle we lead in our current days.
Let’s recall together the most important reasons that necessitate the installation of the stent:
Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is the accumulation of fatty plaques within the walls of blood vessels, leading to narrowing and blockage in the coronary arteries. Atherosclerosis is the primary cause of coronary artery disease. Risk factors that increase the likelihood of atherosclerosis include high blood lipid levels, smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet, and a previous family history of the condition.
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Heart Attack
A heart attack occurs due to insufficient blood reaching the heart muscle, causing the death or necrosis of a part of the heart muscle. The procedure of repairing the arteries and installing the coronary stent helps restore normal blood flow and expand the diameter of the arterial vessel, reducing the risk of sudden heart attack in the future.
Types of coronary stents in Turkey
The heart stent somewhat resembles the mesh used in fishing, except that the stent is made of a metal material. Heart stents are classified into two main types:
Bare metal heart stent
This type of stent is made of stainless steel or titanium alloys resistant to corrosion. These meshes expand narrowed arteries by being placed in the appropriate location.
Drug-coated cardiac stent
This stent is similar to the previous type in terms of materials used but differs from its predecessor in that it is coated with drug substances that help prevent artery re-narrowing.
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Benefits of coronary stent procedure
There are numerous benefits and advantages that the coronary stent procedure can offer to patients, including:
- Ensuring adequate blood flow through the heart’s arteries.
- Alleviating the severity of symptoms experienced by heart patients (such as shortness of breath and angina).
- Improving the quality of life.
- A minimally invasive procedure performed through catheterization without the need for open surgery.
- Stents may serve as an alternative to coronary artery bypass surgery, which requires open-heart surgery.
Symptoms of coronary stent failure
Before delving into the symptoms of heart stent failure, it is important to note that stent failure is uncommon due to the advancements in stent types since their invention. If symptoms do occur, they typically appear 3 to 6 months after the stent is inserted.
Chest pain and discomfort (the nature of the pain is similar to that of a heart attack)
- Chest tightness
- Dyspnea (difficulty breathing)
- Unexplained fatigue
- Palpitations (irregular heartbeat)
- Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet
- Dizziness and lightheadedness
- Nausea and sweating
Although these symptoms may go unnoticed or be confused with other symptoms, they are serious and significant. To help overcome the symptoms of stent failure, it is highly recommended to have regular medical checkups.
Symptoms of stent failure vary depending on the underlying cause and the location of the stent.
Risks of coronary stent placement
It is rare for coronary stents to be associated with risks or complications that cause concern. However, some complications and risks resulting from the stent may include:
- Formation of a blood clot inside the stent
- Body rejection or a reaction to the stent placement
- Tear in the artery where the stent is placed
- Failure to secure the coronary stent
- Severe bleeding
- Stroke
- Recurrent narrowing of the artery
Post-coronary stent procedure in Turkey
Although coronary stents are an effective way to improve and alleviate symptoms to a large extent, stent placement is not a curative treatment for heart disease. You must adhere to your doctor’s instructions and make healthy lifestyle modifications while taking the prescribed medications after the procedure.
You typically remain in the hospital for just one day after the coronary stent procedure for monitoring your heart health and ensuring the success of the procedure without any potential complications. You can return to your routine daily activities after a week of the procedure, avoiding heavy lifting or strenuous activities during the first week after stent placement.
You may experience mild discomfort, swelling, and chest discomfort immediately after the procedure. This is normal and may take a few days to resolve spontaneously. You will begin to notice that your chest pain gradually decreases, and your physical activity improves after stent placement, allowing you to exercise more efficiently.
Your doctor may prescribe a range of medications such as blood thinners and anti-coagulants for a period ranging from 6 months to a year after the procedure. It is essential to adhere to medication intake according to the specialist’s instructions.
Sexual activity after coronary stent placement
Your doctor may advise you to abstain from sexual intercourse for a temporary period after coronary stent placement, depending on your heart health and its ability to tolerate stressful activities such as sex. This period may last from a few days to several weeks in cases of weakened heart muscle. Consult your doctor about the necessary duration for refraining from sexual activity.
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Success rate of coronary stent procedure
Coronary stents are characterized by a high success rate and minimal risks of side effects. According to a study conducted on 197 patients over 80 years old, the success rate of the procedure was estimated at 95%.
The rate of complications during the recovery period was also low. The same study indicated that the mortality rate during the post-procedure phase did not exceed 3%, considering that the patients were over 80 years old and some of them had accompanying diseases.
In conclusion, this procedure is somewhat safe even when performed after the age of eighty, with complications being extremely rare, and it yields good results in the long run.
Heart attack recurrence rate after coronary stent placement
According to the American Heart Association, 20% of people hospitalized with a heart attack will have another one within five years. This rate drops to about 5% to 10% after about six months with drug-eluting stents, which are approximately 90-95% effective in keeping arteries open.
Cost of coronary stents in Turkey 2025
The cost of coronary stent placement varies depending on the type and number of stents required for the procedure. Typically, the cost starts at $800 and can reach up to $7000 in some cases. You can contact us for more details about the types of coronary stents and their prices in Turkey and to schedule an appointment with experienced doctors.
The price of coronary stents is much lower than open-heart surgery, and of course, coronary stent procedures are less risky than open surgery. Therefore, it is essential not to delay the procedure for fear of worsening artery blockage, which may require open-heart surgery to repair.
In conclusion, coronary artery stenting in Turkey is an appropriate treatment for coronary artery stenosis, which is accompanied by annoying symptoms that affect quality of life, such as shortness of breath and angina. Stenting provides good results without significant risks of side effects. Several types of stents are available, each with its own price. Coronary artery stenting is performed using a catheter, which is a safe, minimally invasive procedure that usually takes no more than two hours, and the recovery period after stent placement does not exceed a week in normal cases.
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