title: Damage to polymer of undelivered sirolimus-eluting stents.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Damage to the polymer coating on sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) may occur when it is delivered through complex lesions such as calcified lesions. The present study evaluated damage to the polymer of SES that could not be delivered into lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  SES that could not be delivered into lesions were prospectively collected and examined using a scanning electron microscope.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 5 undelivered SES. In all cases, moderate or severe calcification with and without vessel tortuosity were reasons for unsuccessful delivery. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated damage to the polymer of 4 out of the 5 undelivered SES.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Damage to the polymer coating of SES may occur when delivered through a calcified coronary artery.
authors.affiliation: Interventional Cardiology, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, Chiba 260-8677, Japan. yoshio.kobayashi@wonder.ocn.ne.jp
authors.forename: Hideki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kitahara
authors.forename: Yoshio
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: Masashi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
authors.forename: Yoshihide
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fujimoto
authors.forename: Mizuo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nameki
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakayama
authors.forename: Nakabumi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kuroda
authors.forename: Issei
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Komuro
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000628:therapy; D054855:Drug-Eluting Stents; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011108:Polymers; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020123:Sirolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D011108:Polymers; D020123:Sirolimus