Bioabsorbable stent

Abstract

Fully bioresorbable scaffolds are a promising approach to the treatment of coronary artery disease. The absence of residual foreign material and subsequent restoration of endothelial coverage may address the safety concerns associated with metallic drug-eluting stents such as permanent caging of the artery with or without malapposition, jailing of side branches and late stent thrombosis. Currently, numerous bioresorbable scaffolds – the majority composed of bioresorbable polymers, and some of absorbable metals – are being developed. Coronary angiography is limited in its ability to visualize the scaffold, because of its low spatial resolution and the radiolucence of the scaffold’s polymer backbone. Angiography alone cannot diagnose scaffold expansion, its interaction with the vessel wall or scaffold degradation over time. Intracoronary imaging techniques such as intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) or optical coherence tomography (OCT) can overcome these limitations and allow for the evaluation of coronary arteries and scaffolds in great detail. OCT is particularly well suited for the assessment of atherosclerotic plaque, the scaffold and tissue coverage, and allows for detailed evaluation on the individual strut level.