Patients with diabetes face a significantly greater risk of complications following stent implantation, according to a comprehensive study conducted by researchers at Karolinska Institutet. Published in the journal Diabetes Care on November 27, 2025, the research highlights the necessity for tailored treatment strategies for diabetic patients undergoing this procedure.
The study analyzed data from over 160,000 patients who received drug-eluting stents—devices designed to keep coronary arteries open by slowly releasing medication to prevent blockages—between 2010 and 2020. Participants were categorized into three groups: those with type 1 diabetes, those with type 2 diabetes, and individuals without diabetes.
Research findings indicate that patients with type 1 diabetes have more than twice the risk of experiencing stent complications compared to their non-diabetic counterparts. Individuals with type 2 diabetes also exhibit elevated risks, although the increase is not as pronounced. The types of complications noted include arterial narrowing within the stent and the formation of blood clots.
Irene Santos-Pardo, the study’s first author and a researcher at the Department of Clinical Science and Education at Södersjukhuset, part of Karolinska Institutet, emphasized the implications of these findings. “Our results show that people with diabetes, especially type 1 diabetes, have a much higher risk of stent complications. Therefore, it is important to carefully consider how we treat these patients,” she stated.
Complication Rates and Timing
The study also reveals that the risk of complications peaks during the initial months following stent implantation. For instance, within the first month, the incidence of complications among patients with type 1 diabetes was 9.27 per 100 person-years, compared to 4.34 for those without diabetes. Though the risk diminishes after six months, it remains elevated for diabetic patients.
Thomas Nyström, the study’s last author, who is also a professor at the same department and a senior physician at Södersjukhuset, commented on the need for continuous research. “We need to continue to investigate how we can improve treatment for patients with diabetes who undergo stent implantation. Our results indicate that there is a need to adapt treatment and follow-up for them,” he said.
The research is a collaboration between the Karolinska Institutet and the German Trias i Pujol Institute in Barcelona, Spain. Funding for the study was provided by various organizations, including the Swedish Heart-Lung Foundation and Region Stockholm. The researchers have reported no conflicts of interest related to the study.
The findings from this extensive study underscore the critical need for healthcare providers to tailor their approaches when treating diabetic patients, particularly those undergoing procedures such as stent implantation. Enhanced monitoring and individualized treatment strategies could help mitigate the risks identified in this research, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
