Mechanisms of drug loading and release kinetics.
In an effort to overcome the limitations of local drug delivery associated with the use of catheters, drug-loaded stents have been developed. Loading of such stents is achieved through either drug absorption (incorporation into a matrix) or drug adsorption (surface layering). The type of drug binding determines the elution profile/release kinetics of the drug, while the therapeutic target determines both the choice of drug used and the manner in which it is bound, i.e. eluting or non-eluting. While non-eluting stents have clinically reduced thrombotic complications following stent implantation, current experimental work concentrates on the use of eluting stents to combat restenosis.
Whelan
D M
DM
Department of Cardiology, Thoraxcenter, Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands. whelan@tch.fgg.eur.nl
van Beusekom
H M
HM
van der Giessen
W J
WJ
D000042:Absorption; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006493:Heparin / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006801:Humans; D011108:Polymers; D015607:Stents
D011108:Polymers; D006493:Heparin