Stent Placement in Vietnam: A Complete Guide to Coronary Stenting

Heart disease is rising globally, and coronary artery disease (CAD) remains the leading cause of death in adults. As stress, high-fat diets, and sedentary lifestyles become more common, millions of people around the world are at increased risk of developing blocked arteries. One of the most effective treatments for restoring blood flow to the heart is stent placement, also known as coronary stenting—a procedure that has revolutionized modern cardiology.

In Vietnam, stent placement has advanced rapidly over the past decade. With world-class cardiologists, modern catheterization labs, and an increasing number of cardiac centers meeting international standards, Vietnam has become a trusted destination for heart patients—both local and international—seeking minimally invasive coronary treatments.

This comprehensive, 2000-word guide explains everything you need to know about stent placement in Vietnam: how it works, why it’s performed, the types of stents available, benefits, risks, recovery, and long-term care.

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1. What Is Stent Placement?

A coronary stent is a tiny metal mesh tube placed inside a coronary artery to keep it open. When plaque builds up in the artery—a condition known as atherosclerosis—it restricts blood flow to the heart, causing chest pain or potentially triggering a heart attack. A stent acts like scaffolding, supporting the artery walls and ensuring that blood can flow freely.

Stenting is part of a broader procedure called Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI), but patients often refer to it simply as “đặt stent” or “putting in a stent.”

What makes stent placement particularly important is that it restores blood flow immediately, which is essential during a heart attack when minutes can mean the difference between life and death.

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2. When Do Patients Need a Stent?

Not every coronary blockage requires a stent. Some cases can be treated with medication alone. However, a stent becomes necessary when the narrowing is severe or when symptoms become dangerous.

Common reasons to place a stent:

• Severe coronary artery narrowing (usually >70%)

• Persistent chest pain (angina)

• Shortness of breath or reduced exercise tolerance

• Unstable angina (increasingly frequent or severe chest pain)

• Coronary artery blockage causing heart attack (STEMI/NSTEMI)

• Abnormal CT scan or angiogram showing critical stenosis

• Reduced heart function caused by poor blood supply

Emergency Stenting Saves Lives

During a heart attack, a stent can:

• Open the artery within minutes

• Restore oxygen to heart muscle

• Reduce long-term damage

• Prevent cardiac arrest

• Dramatically improve survival rates

In Vietnam, hospitals in major cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are capable of performing Primary PCI 24/7—crucial for emergency cases.

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3. Understanding How Stents Work

To understand the purpose of a stent, imagine a water pipe that becomes clogged with debris. Over time, the opening becomes narrower until water can barely flow through. A coronary artery behaves the same way when plaque accumulates.

A stent works by:

1. Opening the blocked artery

2. Pushing plaque aside

3. Reinforcing the artery wall

4. Preventing the artery from collapsing

5. Maintaining long-term blood flow

Once placed, the stent stays permanently inside the artery.

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4. Types of Stents Used in Modern Cardiology

There are three main types of stents, each with unique benefits. Vietnam uses the same modern stent systems used in the US, Europe, and Singapore.

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Drug-Eluting Stent (DES) — Most common, most advanced

These stents are coated with medication that gradually releases into the artery to prevent scar tissue buildup.

Advantages:

• Lowest rate of restenosis (re-narrowing)

• Long-term success

• Ideal for most patients

This is the standard of care in Vietnam for most PCI procedures.

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Bare-Metal Stent (BMS)

An older type made purely of metal without medication.

When used:

• Patients who cannot take long-term blood thinners

• Situations requiring short-term antiplatelet therapy

However, because of higher restenosis rates, BMS is used less often today.

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Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffold (BVS)

A newer generation of stents that gradually dissolve over 2–3 years.

Advantages:

• Leaves artery free of metal

• Ideal for younger patients

While not available in all hospitals, major cardiac centers in Vietnam do offer this technology.

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5. Step-by-Step: How Stent Placement Is Performed

Although stenting sounds complex, it is a minimally invasive procedure requiring no open-heart surgery.

Below is the typical sequence in Vietnam’s modern cath labs:

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Step 1: Preparation

Patients undergo:

• ECG

• Blood tests

• Chest X-ray

• Echocardiogram

• Coronary CT (often before elective PCI)

Sedation is mild; general anesthesia is not required.

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Step 2: Access Site

The cardiologist numbs the skin at:

• The radial artery (wrist) — most common

• The femoral artery (groin) — used in certain cases

The wrist approach is preferred because it has:

• Less bleeding

• Faster recovery

• Higher patient comfort

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Step 3: Coronary Angiography

A contrast dye is injected so doctors can visualize the coronary arteries on X-ray and locate the blockage.

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Step 4: Balloon Angioplasty

A tiny balloon is inflated at the narrowed segment to expand the artery. This is temporary—its purpose is to prepare the artery for the stent.

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Step 5: Stent Deployment

A stent mounted on a balloon is guided to the blockage.

When the balloon inflates:

• The stent expands

• It locks into the artery

• The plaque is pushed aside

The balloon is removed, but the stent remains permanently.

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Step 6: Post-Procedure Monitoring

Patients usually stay:

• 4–6 hours for observation (radial approach)

• Overnight if needed

Complex cases may require a longer hospital stay.

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6. Benefits of Stent Placement

Stent placement has transformed the treatment of coronary artery disease.

Major advantages include:

✔ Immediate symptom relief

Many patients feel improvement instantly.

✔ Restores blood flow quickly

Critical during emergencies.

✔ Minimally invasive

No large incisions, stitches, or long ICU stays.

✔ Short recovery time

Most patients return to normal activities within days.

✔ Effective for most single and double-vessel diseases

✔ High success rates

Modern stenting success rates exceed 95%.

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7. Risks and Complications

Although stent placement is safe, like any medical procedure, it carries potential risks.

Common but minor:

• Bleeding at access site

• Bruising

• Allergic reaction to contrast dye

Rare but serious:

• Blood clot inside stent (stent thrombosis)

• Artery damage

• Heart attack

• Stroke

• Arrhythmias

These risks are greatly reduced when:

• Using drug-eluting stents

• Following medication instructions carefully

• Undergoing PCI in a high-quality cardiac center

Vietnam’s top heart hospitals maintain international safety standards, minimizing complications.

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8. Recovery After Stent Placement

Recovery is one of the reasons PCI is so popular.

In the first 24 hours:

• Avoid heavy use of the wrist

• Drink plenty of water

• Walk lightly

First week:

• No lifting heavy objects

• Avoid strenuous exercise

• Continue medications

Medications After Stenting

Patients are prescribed:

• Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) — aspirin + clopidogrel (or similar)

• Cholesterol-lowering medications (statins)

• Medication for blood pressure if necessary

DAPT is essential to prevent clotting inside the stent.

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9. Lifestyle Changes After Stenting

Placing a stent corrects the blockage—but not the underlying cause. Long-term heart health requires lifestyle adjustments.

Healthy habits include:

• Eating a Mediterranean-style diet

• Reducing saturated fat

• Regular exercise

• Managing diabetes

• Stopping smoking

• Reducing stress

• Maintaining healthy blood pressure

Regular Follow-up Appointments Are Critical

• 1-month visit

• 3–6 months

• Annually

These visits ensure the stent remains open and the heart is functioning well.

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10. Stent Placement vs. Bypass Surgery: Key Differences

Stenting and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are two major treatments for coronary blockages.

Your cardiologist will recommend the best option based on your condition.

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11. Why Many Patients Choose Vietnam for Stent Placement

Although this is not the focus of the article, it is worth noting why Vietnam has become increasingly recognized for coronary stenting:

✔ Affordable (50–70% cheaper than Singapore or the US)

✔ Highly experienced interventional cardiologists

✔ Modern cath labs with 3D imaging

✔ Rapid emergency PCI capability

✔ Excellent outcomes comparable to regional leaders

Both domestic and international patients benefit from these advancements.

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12. Costs of Stent Placement (General Overview)

While prices vary across countries and hospitals, stent placement remains relatively accessible.

A general cost breakdown:

• 1 drug-eluting stent: USD 1,200–2,000

• Full PCI procedure: USD 3,000–7,000

• Complex multi-stent PCI: USD 5,000–10,000+

Costs depend on:

• Number of stents

• Type of stents used

• Complexity of the lesions

• Hospital level

• Whether PCI is elective or emergency

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13. Common Myths About Stent Placement

Myth 1: Stents cure heart disease forever

Fact: Stents fix the specific blockage, not the underlying disease.

Myth 2: You can stop medications after stenting

Fact: Stopping blood thinners can be extremely dangerous.

Myth 3: You cannot exercise after stenting

Fact: Exercise is essential—after proper recovery.

Myth 4: Having a stent means you will always need more

Fact: With lifestyle changes, many patients never need another stent.

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14. Conclusion: Stent Placement Saves Lives

Stent placement is one of the most important medical advances in the history of cardiology. By restoring blood flow quickly and safely, stents reduce symptoms, prevent heart attacks, and significantly improve quality of life.

In Vietnam and around the world, coronary stenting continues to evolve with better technology, safer techniques, and improved outcomes. Whether performed in an emergency setting or as a planned procedure, stenting remains a cornerstone of coronary artery disease management.