Bioabsorbable stents: nothing from something. (December 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rajendra, NS; Wrigley, BJ; Gershlick, AH
• Is Part Of: Clinical investigation. Volume 2:Number 12(2012)
• Page Start: 1185
• Page End: 1189
• Publication Date: 2012-12
• Subjects: bioabsorbable stent -- percutaneous coronary intervention; Drugs -- Testing -- Periodicals; Drug development -- Periodicals; Clinical trials -- Periodicals; 615.580724
• DOI: 10.4155/cli.12.126
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2041-6806

Abstract

Percutaneous coronary intervention continues to develop at a rapid pace and has seen exciting developments in the last three decades. Percutaneous coronary intervention numbers have exceeded coronary bypass surgery worldwide and we now have long-term safety and efficacy data on the stents currently being used. However, there are unresolved issues relating to the optimal length of dual antiplatelet therapy, which represent a major concern due to the small but potentially catastrophic effect of stent thrombosis. The latest development in stent iteration is bioabsorbable stent technology. Bioabsorbable technology is still in its infancy; however, it holds promise for the future. This article delineates the progress made so far in this field and ponders its future applications.