Paclitaxel-eluting stents.
Percutaneous coronary intervention and stent implantation is rapidly becoming the most commonly used form of revascularization. The long term results of this procedure are limited by restenosis which is a phenomenon predominantly caused by proliferation of smooth muscle cells. Many devices and pharmaceutical agents have been unsuccessful in preventing this problem. Paclitaxel is an antiproliferative drug that has been extensively studied for the prevention of restenosis. This article will review the trial results of the currently available stent platforms and discuss some of the ongoing studies and future directions for the development of new paclitaxel-eluting stents.
Cosgrave
John
J
EMO Centro Cuore Columbus & San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy.
Corbett
Simon
S
Babic
Rade
R
Colombo
Antonio
A