When a part of an artery with a stent gets blocked, it's called in-stent restenosis (ISR). When a blood clot, or thrombus, forms in a part of an artery with a stent, it's called an in-stent thrombosis (IST).
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging demonstrates that calcification is an essential risk factor for intracranial In-stent restenosis (ISR). These findings have important implications for individualized treatment. They provide valuable insights for optimizing stent design and exploring potential mechanisms of intracranial ISR 1)
To manage in-stent restenosis, various treatment options can be considered, depending on the severity of the condition. These may include:
Medications: Antiplatelet drugs and other medications can be prescribed to prevent blood clots and manage risk factors like high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Angioplasty: A procedure similar to the initial stent placement, where a balloon catheter is used to widen the narrowed blood vessel. In some cases, a new stent may also be placed during this procedure.
Drug-Eluting Stents: These are stents coated with medications that help reduce the risk of restenosis by inhibiting cell growth and inflammation.
Bypass Surgery: For more severe cases, where the restenosis is widespread or other treatments are not effective, bypass surgery may be considered. This involves creating a new pathway for blood to flow around the narrowed or blocked artery.