title: Stent coating: a new approach in interventional cardiology.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Since its introduction in clinical cardiology, several studies have shown the superiority of coronary stent implantation as compared to conventional angioplasty. However, restenosis still remains a major drawback of this new technique. Basic research in animal models could identify stent-related factors like stent-material and stent-design as major determinants of intima proliferation. Since materials with good biocompatibility often have unsuitable mechanical properties and vice versa, the concept of stent coating has been developed to allow the combination of favorable characteristics from different materials.
  In general, passive coatings, which only serve as a barrier between the stainless steel and the tissue, and active coatings, which directly interfere with the process of intima proliferation have been identified. Currently there are several passive coatings commercially available with good results in animal models and preliminary reports from clinical studies.
  As any surface induces some kind of tissue reaction promoting restenosis, an active stent coating with antiproliferative drugs has been proposed. However, while animal studies revealed convincing results, preliminary clinical studies not only showed active stent coating effective in preventing restenosis, but also demonstrated the potential risks of this new approach. Although this technique may harbor some specific risks, with the introduction of stent coating a new chapter of interventional cardiology has been flipped open.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, University Essen, Germany. heinrich.wieneke@uni-essen.de
authors.forename: Heinrich
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wieneke
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sawitowski
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wnendt
authors.forename: Alfons
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: Olaf
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Dirsch
authors.forename: Ira Ariadne
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Karoussos
authors.forename: Raimund
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Erbel
mesh_terms: D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000295:instrumentation*; D000818:Animals; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D023903:Coronary Restenosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D004337:Drug Carriers; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D015607:Stents
chemical_list: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D004337:Drug Carriers