A normal artery lining is smoother than glass under a microscope, but a stent is very rough in texture, offering a great area for platelets to become active and form a clot. Plavix and
aspirin should be used until a
new artery lining grows through the stent mesh, creating a
new 'smoother than glass' area. This can take up to 3 to 4 months and so a year of plavix is a safe guard. However, some people removed off plavix form clots quickly.