title: Evaluation of a novel slow-release paclitaxel-eluting stent with a bioabsorbable polymeric surface coating.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We sought to evaluate a new second-generation drug-eluting stent (DES), comprising a slow-release biodegradable polylactide coglycolide (PLGA) polymer and low-dose paclitaxel on a thin-strut cobalt chromium stent platform, in a clinically relevant animal model.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Our previous work demonstrated subacute vascular toxicity and necrosis triggering late excess neointima in pig coronaries, with a moderate paclitaxel dose eluted from an erodible polymer. The use of slower-releasing absorbable polymers with lower doses of paclitaxel is expected to minimize such adverse outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three types of stents were implanted in pig coronary arteries using quantitative coronary angiography to optimize stent apposition: bare-metal stents (BMS); absorbable, slow-release polymer-coated-only stents (POLY); and absorbable polymer-based paclitaxel-eluting stents (PACL). The dose density of paclitaxel was 0.15 microg/mm(2) with in vitro studies demonstrating a gradual elution over the course of 12 to 16 weeks. Animals underwent angiographic restudy and were terminated at 1 and 3 months for complete histopathologic and histomorphometric analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 1 month, intimal thickness varied significantly according to stent type, with the lowest level for the PACL group compared with the BMS and POLY groups (0.06 +/- 0.02 mm vs. 0.17 +/- 0.07 mm, 0.17 +/- 0.08 mm, respectively, p < 0.001); histological percent area stenosis was 18 +/- 4% for PACL compared with 27 +/- 7% for BMS and 30 +/- 12% for POLY, respectively (p = 0.001). At 3 months, PACL showed similar neointimal thickness as BMS and POLY (0.09 +/- 0.05 mm vs. 0.13 +/- 0.10 mm and 0.11 +/- 0.03 mm respectively, p = 0.582). Histological percent area stenosis was 23 +/- 8% for PACL versus 23 +/- 11% for BMS and 23 +/- 2% for POLY, respectively (p = 1.000).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows favorable vascular compatibility and efficacy for a novel DES that elutes paclitaxel in porcine coronary arteries. These results support the notion that slowing the release rate and lowering the dose of paclitaxel favorably influences the vascular biological response to DES implant, decreasing early toxicity and promoting stable healing while still suppressing neointima formation.
authors.affiliation: Saint Joseph's Cardiovascular Research Institute, Saint Joseph's Hospital of Atlanta, 5673 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA 30342, USA. rjabara@sjha.org
authors.forename: Refat
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jabara
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chronos
authors.forename: Damian
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Conway
authors.forename: Warner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Molema
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Robinson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000737:chemistry*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004337:Drug Carriers; D054855:Drug-Eluting Stents; D019344:Lactic Acid; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D004337:Drug Carriers; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; D017239:Paclitaxel