title: New generation coronary stent technology--is the future biodegradable?
abstract: A new generation of drug eluting coronary stents are undergoing clinical trial evaluation and being introduced into clinical practice. These technologies comprise a broad range of innovations and include non-polymeric stents, biodegradable polymer coated stents and fully biodegradable scaffolds. The new devices are designed to improve long-term safety and efficacy and overcome limitations associated with a durable polymer and a persistent metallic stent scaffold. At the present time, none have demonstrated convincing superiority over current second generation drug eluting stents and large, long-term randomised controlled trials are required.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology and Eastern Heart Clinic, Prince of Wales Hospital, Australia. tsammel@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Anthony M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Sammel
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Nigel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jepson
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends*; D000818:Animals; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D003331:Coronary Vessels; D006801:Humans; D015607:Stents
chemical_list: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible