Use of polyetherurethane to improve the biocompatibility of vascular stents.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate potential differential growth on neointima following overdilating arterial trauma with polyetherurethane-coated versus bare metallic stents in swine.


METHODS
Twelve specially constructed tantalum stents, 6 coated with polyetherurethane block copolymer and 6 uncoated, were overdilated by 25% in 12 normal renal arteries of six swine. The stents were harvested 8 weeks after implantation and prepared for histologic examination. Neointimal thickness was quantified and analyzed for significant differences between coated and uncoated prostheses.


RESULTS
All specimens demonstrated fractures of the internal elastic lamina consistent with vascular injury. There was significantly less neointimal formation (0.0001 < p < 0.05) in coated specimens as compared to uncoated controls in each test animal.


CONCLUSIONS
The vascular response to overdilating stent trauma appears to be moderated with the use of polyetherurethane block copolymer as compared to control.
Fontaine
A B
AB
Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Ohio State University Hospitals, Columbus, USA.
Dos Passos
S
S
Spigos
D
D
Cearlock
J
J
Urbaneja
A
A
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D004867:Equipment Design; D006965:Hyperplasia; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D012077:Renal Artery / Q000473:pathology; D015607:Stents; D013552:Swine; D013635:Tantalum; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000473:pathology*
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D013635:Tantalum; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene