Promise and challenges of bioabsorbable stents.
Despite the development and progression of metallic stents, many concerns still remain because of their permanent nature. Although metallic stents are effective in preventing recoil and late restenosis after coronary angioplasty, they continue to have limitations such as stent thrombosis and mismatch of the stent to the vessel size. Thus, the concept of bioabsorbable stents has emerged as an alternative to permanent metal stents. This review will outline concepts, material designs, preclinical, and initial clinical experimental studies with bioabsorbable stents.
Waksman
Ron
R
Division of Cardiology, Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC 20010, USA. ron.waksman@medstar.net
D020341:Absorbable Implants / Q000639:trends*; D000818:Animals; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D023903:Coronary Restenosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D009204:Myocardial Revascularization / Q000379:methods*; D011379:Prognosis; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D015607:Stents / Q000639:trends*
D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible