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Question:

How long does the medication last in "medicated stents"?

I HAVE 4 MEDICATED STENTS DEPLOYED IN MY ARTERIES. FOR HOW LONG WILL THIS MEDICATION LAST? HOW WILL I KNOW WHEN THE MEDICATIONS RUN OUT?

submitted by Ezequiel from Plantation, Florida on 7/13/2012

George Younis, MDAnswer:

by Texas Heart Institute cardiologist, George Younis, MD  

In general, the medications coating a drug eluting stent will gradually go away over the first few weeks to months. The purpose of the medication is to prevent scar formation within the stent, and the first few months is when you need it the most. You will not know when it runs out. 

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Updated July 2012
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Texas Heart Institute Heart Information Center
Through this community outreach program, staff members of the Texas Heart Institute (THI) provide educational information related to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiovascular disease. It is not the intention of THI to provide specific medical advice, but rather to provide users with information to better understand their health and their diagnosed disorders. Specific medical advice will not be provided and THI urges you to visit a qualified physician for diagnosis and for answers to your questions.
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