Intraarterial biocompatibility of polyethylene terephthalate self-expandable stents implanted in porcine peripheral arteries.
OBJECTIVE
We tested deployment feasibility and intraarterial biocompatibility of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) self-expandable vascular stents in a porcine peripheral artery model.


METHODS
To assess the thrombogenicity and neointimal response to oversized PET self-expandable stents, we implanted 10 stents in porcine common iliac arteries, followed by a 6-mm balloon inflation to 6 atm.


RESULTS
All pigs survived until the study termination 6 weeks after stent implantation. Control angiography revealed stent closure in three pigs. Minimal stent luminal diameter (MSLD) was measured using a semiautomated edge detection algorithm. The difference in MSLD after stent implantation and at control after 6 weeks was not significant (4.9 +/- 0.5 mm-->4.7 +/- 1.0 mm). Histopathologic examination showed signs of thrombotic occlusion and revascularization in occluded stents. In patient stents only a mild fibromuscular neointimal response was seen.


CONCLUSIONS
PET self-expandable stents implanted in porcine iliac arteries are possibly thrombogenic but do not lead to a significant neointimal response.
De Scheerder
I K
IK
Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium.
Wilczek
K V
KV
Verbeken
E V
EV
Barios
L
L
Piessens
J
J
De Geest
H
H
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002932:Cineangiography; D007083:Iliac Artery / Q000473:pathology*; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary; D013552:Swine; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology*
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates