What classification of stents is known for being highly flexible, but may "shingle" or "fish scale" in tight curves?

Prepare for the ARRT Vascular Interventional Exam with interactive flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Each question is accompanied by hints and explanations. Ensure your readiness for success!

The classification of stents that is known for being highly flexible and may exhibit "shingling" or "fish scaling" behavior in tight curves is open-celled stents. Open-celled stents have a design characterized by interconnecting spaces or openings, which allow for greater flexibility compared to closed-celled stents. This flexibility is particularly beneficial when navigating through the complex anatomy of blood vessels, especially in areas where sharp bends or curves are present.

However, this design feature comes with a potential drawback: as these stents are deployed, particularly in tight curves, the open-cell configuration may lead to the stent overlaying itself in a manner similar to shingles on a roof, or creating a "fish scale" appearance. This can raise concerns about the stent's effectiveness in maintaining vessel patency and ensuring a smooth lumen within the artery.

In contrast, closed-celled stents have a more rigid structure with less flexibility, making them less likely to exhibit this behavior in tight curves. Drug-eluting and expandable classifications pertain to other characteristics of stents, such as the release of medication to prevent restenosis or the ability to enlarge upon deployment, rather than their flexibility and behavior in complex anatomical situations. Understanding these classifications helps in choosing the

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