Experts warn: Fear of stents can cost you your life!

Patients come to outpatient clinics based on information they've read online or heard from others. "Doctor, there's a new method out there. Can you open my veins with a drug-filled balloon?" is a common request. However, despite this popularity, Prof. Dr. Bilal Boztosun noted that the method has a history of approximately 20 years. He said, "Drug-coated balloons are not suitable for every patient or every vein. The critical factor in treatment is not what the patient wants, but what the vein needs."

'A 20-YEAR-OLD TREATMENT OPTION'

Professor Boztosun emphasized that the treatment process is shaped not by the patient's insistence but by medical necessity. "When we detect a stenosis, we first dilate the vessel with a standard balloon. If the vessel opens as expected and blood flow is restored, then we can complete the procedure with a drug-coated balloon. However, if the vessel experiences elasticity-related recoil, a condition we call 'recoil,' stent placement is essential to keep the vessel open. The goal here is not a cosmetic procedure, but to save lives," he said.

NOT 'WHAT I WANT', BUT 'WHAT DOES MY VEIN WANT?'

Professor Dr. Boztosun emphasized that stent treatment remains an important option and that patients should not shy away from it, saying, "It's not right to avoid stents based on drug-coated balloons. Stents are life-saving when necessary. The question our patients should be asking is not 'What do I want?' but 'What do my arteries need?'"

NOT SUITABLE FOR EVERY VEIN

Prof. Dr. Boztosun stated that drug-coated balloons are a valuable option, particularly in certain situations, and summarized which patients they are preferred for: “If the vein is at a very extreme point, if there are collateral vessels involved, or if we want to preserve the patient's potential for future bypass surgery, we prioritize the drug-coated balloon method. However, as in every case, the decision is individualized. Trust your physician and stick to the treatment protocol they determine. The best treatment for you is not the most popular one, but the one that best suits you.”