Sirolimus-eluting coronary stent.
OBJECTIVE
The mechanism of action and pharmacokinetics of sirolimus when used as part of a drug-eluting stent (DES) and the efficacy and cost of using DESs versus bare-metal stents are discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of balloon angioplasty with or without coronary artery stenting is limited by the phenomenon of in-stent restenosis (ISR). Until very recently, most efforts to overcome ISR had been ineffective. The search to prevent or reduce the frequency of ISR has led to the recent development of novel coronary artery stents designed to deliver a drug that acts locally. The first DES was approved by FDA in April 2003. This stent releases sirolimus, an agent that inhibits vascular smooth-muscle-cell proliferation. To date, four major clinical trials have demonstrated the sirolimus-eluting stent to be safe and effective in preventing restenosis in de novo coronary artery lesions.


CONCLUSIONS
The sirolimus-eluting coronary stent is associated with less ISR than non-drug-containing stents, but further investigation is needed to determine its exact place in the treatment of coronary artery occlusion.
Vishnevetsky
Diana
D
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Worcester 01608, USA.
Patel
Payal
P
Tijerino
Hector
H
Gandhi
Pritesh J
PJ
D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000009:adverse effects; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D023903:Coronary Restenosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D018579:Patient Selection; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012449:Safety; D020123:Sirolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D015607:Stents
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D020123:Sirolimus