Smart Stent Monitors Artery Blood Flow

A stent implanted in an artery has a sensor to track blood flow and sends data on the patient's condition wirelessly to doctors.
Karin Heineman, Executive Producer

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among men and women. Placing a stent in clogged arteries helps to improve blood flow and reduce the risk of heart attack. But there is also a risk associated with stents: plaque can build up, causing arteries to narrow again.

Researchers at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, have  created a ‘smart stent’ with sensors that can monitor and provide real-time feedback on blood flow. The feedback can detect re-narrowing of a stented artery, known as restenosis. 

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Karin Heineman is the executive producer of Inside Science TV.