Emerging of cardiovascular metal stent: A review on drug-eluting stent towards the utilisation of herbal coating

Abstract

Metal stents used in the treatment of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have revolutionized in treating atherosclerosis disease. Starting from the emergence of bare metal stent (BMS), this stent has been progressively developed into drug-eluting stent (DES) and biodegradable stent. By focusing on DES, various drugs have been used to coat metal stent with the aims to overcome in-stent restenosis and stent thrombosis. Therefore, the utilisation of various drugs and polymers as coating materials was reviewed in this study to identify possible alternative to overcome the current DES problems. Even though, both complications of BMS are covered successfully by DES, however, DES projects long term complications of delayed endotheliasation, delayed wound healing and late stent thrombosis. Another alternative of herb coating on DES is considered to be a potential approach in improving endotheliasation and retarding smooth muscle cells proliferation to accelerate wound healing and to prevent late stent thrombosis.