Stent or Bypass? Which One is Right for You?

A stent is a small, expandable metal tube placed inside a blocked vessel. The procedure is done under local anesthesia with a short hospital stay and quick recovery.

Bypass surgery is more extensive. A healthy vessel is grafted around the blocked artery. It is preferred for three-vessel disease, diabetics, and left main coronary involvement.

The choice between stent and bypass is made jointly by cardiologists and cardiac surgeons. Stents suit single-vessel disease; bypass may offer better long-term results for widespread disease.