A stent procedure, formally known as Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI), is a common, minimally invasive treatment used to restore proper blood flow to the heart. This procedure is performed to open coronary arteries that have become narrowed or blocked by plaque buildup, a condition called atherosclerosis. By placing a small, expandable mesh tube, or stent, into the affected artery, the vessel is propped open, which can relieve symptoms like chest pain and treat conditions like a heart attack. While the actual placement of the stent is quick, the overall time commitment for the patient involves preparation, the procedure itself, and a subsequent period of monitoring and recovery.
Pre-Procedure Timeline
The time spent preparing for the stent placement is often the most variable part of the overall experience, especially when comparing elective and emergency procedures. For a scheduled procedure, the timeline begins with admission, where the patient changes into a gown and meets with the care team.
This preparation phase involves essential steps like signing consent forms, having blood drawn for necessary tests, and the placement of an intravenous (IV) line. The IV line is used to administer fluids, sedatives, and blood-thinning medications. The access site—typically the wrist (radial artery) or the groin (femoral artery)—is also prepared, including cleaning and sometimes shaving the area. This entire preparation process can take several hours before the patient is moved into the cardiac catheterization lab.
Duration of the Stent Placement
The time spent inside the catheterization lab, which is the actual interventional part of the procedure, is generally short, ranging from 30 minutes to two hours. During this time, the patient is usually awake but sedated, and a local anesthetic is used to numb the insertion site. The interventional cardiologist threads a thin, flexible catheter through the artery to the blockage in the heart, using X-ray imaging called fluoroscopy.
The duration of the procedure is heavily influenced by the complexity of the blockage being treated and the number of stents required. A straightforward case involving a single, non-calcified blockage will be closer to the 30-minute end of the range. The time extends if the blockage is complex, such as a heavily calcified lesion that requires additional tools like rotational atherectomy to break up the plaque. If the patient has multiple narrowed arteries or if unexpected complications arise, the procedure may take longer than two hours.
Immediate Post-Procedure Monitoring and Hospital Stay
Following the placement of the stent, the immediate post-procedure period focuses on monitoring the patient and securing the access site to prevent bleeding. The length of time spent in the recovery area is determined largely by the artery used for catheter insertion. If the femoral artery in the groin was used, the patient is required to lie flat on their back for several hours to allow the puncture site to seal.
If the procedure was performed through the radial artery in the wrist, the patient can often sit up sooner, and the recovery time is generally shorter. For uncomplicated, elective procedures, discharge may occur the same day or after an overnight stay. Discharge criteria include stable vital signs, the absence of bleeding at the insertion site, and the ability to move around safely. Patients who have had an emergency stent placement will require a longer hospital stay for closer observation and management of their cardiac condition.
Long-Term Recovery and Activity Timeline
The long-term recovery timeline involves a gradual return to normal life and activities. Light daily activities can be resumed within the first few days. Full recovery and a return to more moderate activities and non-strenuous work is often possible within one week of the procedure.
Patients are generally advised to avoid heavy lifting or strenuous exercise until they receive clearance from their physician. A structured program like cardiac rehabilitation is often recommended. This program provides a safe, monitored environment for increasing physical activity over a longer period. This rehabilitation process helps ensure a full return to function and is an important part of long-term cardiovascular health.