Absorbable Stent Coatings from Functionalized Drugs to Prevent Restenosis and Late Thrombosis

摘要

The worldwide market for Drug-Eluting Stents (DES) is growing tremendously and is estimated at more than $5 billion. The market is currently dominated by Johnson & Johnson and Boston Scientific with 49% and 48% marketshare, respectively. Extensive research is being done on the use of absorbable polymers for stents and stent coatings . Inspite of significant success of DES, clinical studies have shown that late stent thrombosis is a major problem with most of the drug eluting stents. It is believed that the non-absorbable polymer coatings that are being used on most of drug eluting stents may be a source of late stent thrombosis. To circumvent this problem, much closer attention will need to be made by the researchers to develop absorbable coatings. Furthermore, totally absorbable stents might be also promising. Moreover, dual drug eluting stents may prove to be of further advantage as one drug can be used to reduce inflammation while other drug reduces cell growth and restenosis. The mile-stick will always be to improve the technology by improving stent deliverability, designing lesion specific stents and improving safety.