title: In vivo comparison of a polymer-free Biolimus A9-eluting stent with a biodegradable polymer-based Biolimus A9 eluting stent and a bare metal stent in balloon denuded and radiated hypercholesterolemic rabbit iliac arteries.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of a polymer-free Biolimus A9-eluting stent [BioFreedom (BF)], compared with that of a biodegradable polymer-based Biolimus A9-eluting stent [BioMatrix Flex (BMF)] and a bare metal stent (BMS) in balloon denuded and radiated hypercholesterolemic rabbit iliac arteries.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rabbits were fed with 1% cholesterol diet (n = 14) for 14 days, both iliac arteries were balloon denuded and radiated, and then rabbits were switched to 0.15% cholesterol diet. After 4 weeks, BF (n = 8), BMF (n = 8), and BMS (n = 8) were deployed in denuded and radiated areas. Four weeks later animals were euthanized, arterial segments were processed for morphometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The neointimal area in vessels implanted with BF stents was significantly less than that seen in vessels implanted with BMS (0.90 mm(2) ± 0.14 vs. 1.29 mm(2) ± 0.23, P <0.01). Percent fibrin and fibrin score were higher with BMF stents compared to BMS (P <0.03 and <0.04) and giant cell number was significantly higher with both BMF and BF stents (P < 0.01 for both). Percent endothelialization was significantly higher and % uncovered struts were lower with BMS compared to either BMF or BF stents (P < 0.05 for both).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates that compared to BMS, BF stents significantly decreased neointimal hyperplasia.
authors: Cardiovascular Research Institute, Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC 20010, USA. ron.waksman@medstar.net
authors: Ron
authors: R
authors: Waksman
authors: Rajbabu
authors: R
authors: Pakala
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Baffour
authors: Rufus
authors: R
authors: Seabron
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Hellinga
authors: Rosanna
authors: R
authors: Chan
authors: Shih-Horng
authors: SH
authors: Su
authors: Frank
authors: F
authors: Kolodgie
authors: Renu
authors: R
authors: Virmani
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon / Q000295:instrumentation*; D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D054855:Drug-Eluting Stents; D005337:Fibrin / Q000378:metabolism; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000150:complications*; D006965:Hyperplasia; D007083:Iliac Artery / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals; D058426:Neointima; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic; D011108:Polymers; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011817:Rabbits; D020123:Sirolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D015607:Stents; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D008670:Metals; D011108:Polymers; D005337:Fibrin; C518022:umirolimus; D020123:Sirolimus