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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
Answer:
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