Coronary stents: looking forward.
Despite all the benefits of drug-eluting stents (DES), concerns have been raised over their long-term safety, with particular reference to stent thrombosis. In an effort to address these concerns, newer stents have been developed that include: DES with biodegradable polymers, DES that are polymer free, stents with novel coatings, and completely biodegradable stents. Many of these stents are currently undergoing pre-clinical and clinical trials; however, early results seem promising. This paper reviews the current status of this new technology, together with other new coronary devices such as bifurcation stents and drug-eluting balloons, as efforts continue to design the ideal coronary stent.
Garg
Scot
S
Department of Interventional Cardiology, Thoraxcenter, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Serruys
Patrick W
PW
D020341:Absorbable Implants / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends*; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000639:trends*; D000818:Animals; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000639:trends; D023903:Coronary Restenosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D054855:Drug-Eluting Stents / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends*; D004867:Equipment Design / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans