New Stents

CCL"Babe", BSN, RN · May 23, 2003

Yep, we're using them. Administration is being very picky about who gets them since the supply is so short. The Docs had been putting off stenting some patients waiting for the new stents to come in. Many of the patients are asking for them. It will be intereesting to see what happens in the future.

Wa State RN · May 23, 2003

so, CCL "babe" where are YOU from? just interested to see what part of the country is actually doing these..........................

CCL"Babe", BSN, RN · May 23, 2003

Philadelphia region.

Zinnia · May 23, 2003

I have heard of them. I try to keep up

from a rural encompassing ICCU.

FullMoonMadness · May 24, 2003

The first one at our hospital was done in April. I understand it is a very expensive procedure, but compared to repeat stenting or maybe even a CABG, they seem cost effective. That aside, Im really excited to see if they really work

catlabrn · May 24, 2003

We're using them as fast as we can get them. The problem is trying to establish exactly how to use them. Yesterday, we used a few in patients who would've gone for CABG just three weeks ago. Some of our docs are discussing using them in left main lesions--which was unheard of a month ago. The problem is availability. The shipments of these things are erratic, and the several dozen we had are already gone.

BMS4 · Jun 6, 2003

We just started using them a couple of weeks ago (about the time this thread was started). We have also had pts put on hold waiting for shipments of the new stent. So far, no has had to wait more than a day.

susanmary · Jun 7, 2003

This is the biggest breakthrough for interventional cardiology in 25 years! It's very exciting.

Wa State RN · Jun 7, 2003

It looks like the word is getting around ref; these stents and their usage. They are suppose to be the "in" thing but I have just ran across a patient who was given 3 of these new stents in hopes she wouldn't occlude and guess what? She thrombosed them! Young lady too, but lots of CAD---the diagonol is the part they are just waiting to infarct. interesting case..........

NurseGirlKaren · Jun 7, 2003

Is she smoking? Doesn't sound like classic restenosis (neointimal hyperplasia) would happen that fast. "She thrombosed them" sounds more like clot--d/t smoking? Was she on Plavix, ASA?

CCL"Babe", BSN, RN · Jun 7, 2003

Did she have a disection that went untreated, or maybe displaced some plaque above or below the stent? It would be interesting to see that srudy. I've seen patients with restenosis when they didn't take both their ASA and Plavix, because the pharmacist told them not to take them together.