Table 2 Definition and clinical relevance of the stent characteristics analyzed
From: Characteristics of four commonly used self-expanding biliary stents: an in vitro study
Definition | Clinical relevance | |
|---|---|---|
Radial resistive force | The ability of a stent to resist radial compression | High: Maintains lumen patency in concentric strictures |
Chronic outward force | The continuous outwards radial force exerted by a stent | High: Ensures apposition in concentric strictures and reduces stent migration |
Crush resistance | The ability of a stent to resist unidirectional compression | High: Maintains lumen patency in eccentric strictures |
Axial force | The reactive force exerted by a stent when it is bent axially | Low: Prevents straightening or kinking in tortuous strictures |
Conformability | The ability of a stent to maintain lumen patent when it is bent axially | High: Maintains lumen patency in tortuous strictures |
Surface quality | The physical smoothness of a stent’s surface | Good: Reduces corrosion, bacterial adherence, and biofilm formation |
Foreshortening | The change in length of a stent as it is compressed radially | None: Facilitates accurate placement of the stent |
Radiopacity | The extent to which a stent is visible under fluoroscopy | Good: Facilitates accurate placement of the stent |