Biomimicry, vascular restenosis and coronary stents.
Biomimicry is in its earliest stages and is being considered in the realm of tissue engineering. If arterial implants are to limit neointimal thickening, purely passive structures cannot succeed. Bioactivity must be present, either by pharmacologic intervention or by fabricating a 'living stent' that contains active cellular material. As tissue engineering evolves, useful solutions will emerge from applying this knowledge directly to vascular biologic problems resulting from angioplasty, stenting, and vascular prosthesis research.
Division of Cardiovascular Diseases and Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
R S
RS
Schwartz
W J
WJ
van der Giessen
D R
DR
Holmes
D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000628:therapy; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D015607:Stents; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000473:pathology*