Drug-eluting stent technologies for vascular regeneration

Abstract

Abstract Currently, first generation drug-eluting stents are widely used in clinical practice to revascularize stenotic arterial vessel segments, and to prevent in-stent restenosis and other shortcomings of conventional bare metal stents. However, clinically relevant risks associated with current drug-eluting stents, such as delayed healing, late thrombosis and hypersensitivity, as well as the permanent nature of the stents represent challenges for further development in this field. This paper reviews current drug-eluting stent technology, and describes recent advances towards a second generation of drug-eluting stents. Particular emphasis is put on the development of stents from bioabsorbable materials as a temporary alternative to permanent stent implants.