There have been many improvements in stent technology but one of the noteworthy changes have been the ability to image better inside the arteries. This is a technique called OCT or Optical Coherence tomography which helps us to visualize upto 20 microns ie almost see the vessel live.
This makes it easier to see the fat accumulation inside the blood vessel and the likelihood of the plaque rupturing and if stenting is necessary. It also helps to ensure that stent placement is optimal.
Of course, changes in stent designs have also been significant with stents made of alloys with much smaller struts. These stents are able to negotiate tortous arteries better. Also some of the stent layers can be partially be absorbed.
The fully absorbable stents are still undergoing changes in design and are not yet available in a universal way.
In addition, there are also specialized stents which are specially used in arteries with branches.
Specialised equipment and newer techniques to deal with blood vessels which have been blocked for many years have also improved in leaps and bounds over the last few years.
