Drug-eluting stent (DES)

A drug-eluting stent (DES) is a tiny, mesh-like tube made of metal placed inside a blocked or narrowed artery during a procedure called angioplasty. It helps keep the artery open and delivers medication gradually to the artery wall, reducing the risk of scar tissue and re-narrowing. This targeted treatment improves blood flow to the heart, lowering the chances of future heart problems. DESs have become common because they are effective in preventing restenosis (re-narrowing) more than bare-metal stents, leading to better long-term outcomes for patients with coronary artery disease.