Drug delivery via nano-, micro and macroporous coronary stent surfaces.
Drug-eluting stents (DESs) have revolutionized the treatment of occlusive coronary artery disease via marked reduction of in-stent restenosis. One critical feature for successful DESs is the sustained release of drugs, which is achieved using a polymer coating in the present generation of DESs. However, recent studies have raised a concern that polymers may trigger allergic reactions and/or prolonged inflammation in some patients. These untoward reactions may eventually lead to undesirable clinical events, including stent thrombosis and sudden cardiac death. A new drug delivery technology, using a porous stent surface, may offer desirable drug elution properties without the use of polymers, and may translate into an improved safety profile for the next-generation DESs.
Tsujino
Ichizo
I
Stanford University Medical Center, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
Ako
Junya
J
Honda
Yasuhiro
Y
Fitzgerald
Peter J
PJ
D000818:Animals; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000628:therapy; D003331:Coronary Vessels; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D049329:Nanostructures; D016062:Porosity; D015607:Stents