Polymers, drug release, and drug-eluting stents.
Implantable biomaterials mainly serve as physical support devices, carriers for bioactive molecules and guidance for tissue growth. For any application within or outside the cardiovascular area, biomaterials are subject to an extended set of requirements in order to establish safe application. These requirements mainly include acceptable biocompatibility and, if the material is to be degraded within the body, safe degradation characteristics. During degradation, biocompatible polymers are broken down into molecules that are metabolized and removed from the body via normal metabolic pathways. Major applications of these polymers include targeted drug delivery systems, resorbable sutures and orthopedic fixation devices. In the cardiovascular area they include biodegradable cardiovascular stents and drug-eluting stent (DES) coatings. This review focuses on general aspects of local drug delivery by implantable polymeric devices, with special emphasis on drug-eluting stents.
Commandeur
Suzan
S
Department of Experimental Cardiology, Thoraxcenter, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
van Beusekom
Heleen M M
HM
van der Giessen
Wim J
WJ
D020341:Absorbable Implants; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D004343:Drug Implants; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D011108:Polymers; D015607:Stents
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D004343:Drug Implants; D011108:Polymers