Stents.

[ferlew]

Talking to my sister last night, and she informs me that her hubby is going to have 2 stents removed and replaced because they have been in 5 years.
I had no idea they did such a thing.
Is it the case that all stents need replacing? Had mine some 9 years now.
Got an echocardiogram coming up, I assume they can 'see' if this needs doing.

[Sqad]

"Is it the case that all stents need replacing?"

Depends. if there is an indication that the stents themselves are becoming blocked e.g chest pain, then following an angiogram they may well need replacing and that can be done at the same time as the angiogram.
However.......if the angiogram shows other coronary arteries are "clogged up" then the Docs may decide that a bypass operation may be a better option and that would have to be at a later date.

[ferlew]

Many thanks indeed Squad, fingers crossed the echo shows nothing needs to be changed :)

[Sqad]

ferlew....9 years is a good shout.......;-)