Scanning electron microscopic analysis of polymer damage in drug-eluting stents during multiple stenting

Polymer damage of drug-eluting stents (DES) during percutaneous coronary intervention procedure could be associated with stent restenosis. We assessed the damage to the drug-containing polymer of DES during multiple stenting in a phantom model by using scanning-electron microscopy (SEM). Unexpanded sirolimus-eluting stent (SES; n = 15) was delivered through the formerly expanded SES (n = 15) in a bended polytetrafluoroethylene plastic tube. The stent was subcategorized into 4 segments (S), including distal (S1), mid distal (S2), mid proximal (S3) and proximal segments (S4), for qualitative SEM assessment. Polymer damage, such as detachments, missing or tears, was observed not only in the outer surface of the unexpanded stents (100%) but also in the inner surface of the formerly expanded stents (100%). There was a significant difference in the frequency of polymer damage among the 4 segments in the unexpanded stents (S1 vs. S2 vs. S3 vs. S4: 86.7 vs. 80.0 vs. 53.3 vs. 40.0%, p = 0.022) and the formerly expanded stents (S1 vs. S2 vs. S3 vs. S4: 80.0 vs. 73.3 vs. 73.3 vs. 40.0%, p = 0.041). The damage was distributed more frequently in distal part than proximal part of either unexpanded stents (S1 vs. S4, p = 0.0079) and the formerly expanded stents (S1 vs. S4, p = 0.0079). Delivery of DES through a formerly expanded DES could cause damage to drug-containing polymer of the stents.