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What Are the Most Common Stent Side Effects?

Glyn Sinclair
Glyn Sinclair

Stents are small tubes that are placed inside arteries or ducts to keep them open once they have become compromised. There are a variety of stents that are designed for different procedures and applications. Some of the procedures include the use of coronary, esophageal, ureteral and biliary stents. The majority of these are made from stainless steel mesh and plastic; however, there are other stents that act as grafts and these are made from a special fabric. There are a number of common stent side effects that can occur, and these could include blood clotting, calcification, bleeding and pain.

There are two types of stents that are typically used: bare mesh stents and stents that have been coated with a medication. These are referred to as drug-eluting stents and serve to prevent arteries from reclosing. These devices are generally effective and save lives; however, there are instances when patients can experience negative outcomes. Clinical trials involving wire mesh stents into the brain arteries discovered that the stents caused strokes in patients. Stent side effects when performing procedures for coronary artery blockage can sometimes cause chest pain, swelling of the arms or legs, and bleeding from the insertion site at the groin.

A stent is a supportive device inserted into the body.
A stent is a supportive device inserted into the body.

Uretal stents placed to allow urine to travel freely from the kidney to the bladder have been known to sometimes irritate the bladder and cause pain to the back and groin areas. They can move out of place and migrate into the bladder causing the patient to urinate more frequently and possibly cause blood to seep into the urine. Physical activity may also cause the stent to move. Sometimes the side effects can be alleviated with medications, and in most cases they disappear once the stent is removed. Doctors recommend that patients experiencing constant and severe pain or fever as the result of a stent should seek immediate medical help.

Blood clotting, calcification, bleeding and pain are among potential side effects of the use of stents in coronary procedures.
Blood clotting, calcification, bleeding and pain are among potential side effects of the use of stents in coronary procedures.

Patients experiencing stent side effects from devices coated with medication sometimes present with blood clots, and in some cases allergic reactions to the stent itself. This is usually treated with drugs; however, scarring at the site of the stent can be a common side effect. Drug-eluting stents can also cause gastrointestinal bleeding, flu-like symptoms, chest pain and strokes. Studies have shown that these symptoms and effects can also occur in bare mesh stents yet seem to be more pronounced in the medicated devices. Although not as common, other stent side effects can include lung disease and even cancer.

Discussion Comments

anon1000207

I've just had a stent out in due to my artery closing having had three heart attacks in my youth my artery was replaced I was told it would only last ten years but it actually lasted fourteen years before it started to close and i needed the stent I won't lie it did feel like I was having a heart attack afterwards and I was very sore and in pain I also did not want to stay awake during my opp so asked to be knocked out and by the time I was awake it has taken almost three hours instead of a hr I'm still in a little pain and still have a little blood in passing but I do believe having the op will help me greatly my advice then if you need it doing get it done a little discomfort is a small price to pay

anon341113

I had a urethral stent put in for just five days and it was horribly painful. I just got it out today and I already feel 70 percent better.

serenesurface

I think the side effects of stents completely have to do with where it is placed and what type it is.

My uncle had a heart attack and had a stent put it. He has never complained of side effects. He says he doesn't feel anything.

My cousin, on the other hand, had one put because of his pancreas. His stent got blocked in just a few months. It had to be removed and replaced twice. And meanwhile, since the stent wasn't working, he developed jaundice.

bluedolphin

@feruze-- May I ask why you have a ureteral stent put in? Is it temporary? If the stent is there for a temporary period, then I'd say go for the pain relievers.

Pain, discomfort and irritation is normal with stents. Some are worse then others but it's never completely avoidable. There are several pain medications that are very effective for stent related pain. Unless you're going to be living with a ureteral stent indefinitely, there is no reason why you shouldn't be taking them.

I had a stent for several months after a kidney stone removal. It was painful, but the medications made it a lot better. Warm baths helped with the pain as well.

bear78

I'm experiencing a lot of pain from my ureteral stent. It's still fairly new and my doctor thinks that the pain will go away with time. He wants me to use pain relievers until then. But the pain seems to be getting a bit worse everyday.

Does anyone here have an ureteral stent? Do you have pain? Does it get better with time?

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    • A stent is a supportive device inserted into the body.
      By: CLIPAREA.com
      A stent is a supportive device inserted into the body.
    • Blood clotting, calcification, bleeding and pain are among potential side effects of the use of stents in coronary procedures.
      By: freshidea
      Blood clotting, calcification, bleeding and pain are among potential side effects of the use of stents in coronary procedures.
    • While recovering from surgery, patients must take care to sit upright while eating to ensure food goes through the stent.
      By: Darrin Henry
      While recovering from surgery, patients must take care to sit upright while eating to ensure food goes through the stent.
    • Stents are used to keep blood vessels free from blockage.
      By: Alexandr Mitiuc
      Stents are used to keep blood vessels free from blockage.
    • Some stents that are used to treat coronary blockages may cause chest pain.
      By: Lisa F. Young
      Some stents that are used to treat coronary blockages may cause chest pain.
    • Drug-eluting stents may cause flu-like symptoms.
      By: Farina3000
      Drug-eluting stents may cause flu-like symptoms.
    • A stent may be placed during bypass surgery to support grafted veins.
      By: Arkady Chubykin
      A stent may be placed during bypass surgery to support grafted veins.
    • Uretal stents used to allow flow freely from the kidney to the bladder have been known to irritate the bladder and cause pain.
      By: rob3000
      Uretal stents used to allow flow freely from the kidney to the bladder have been known to irritate the bladder and cause pain.
    • A person may feel pressure as a stent is removed.
      By: Zsolnai Gergely
      A person may feel pressure as a stent is removed.
    • Stents can increase some people's risk of stroke, especially if they have a history of ischemic attack.
      By: sframe
      Stents can increase some people's risk of stroke, especially if they have a history of ischemic attack.