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Published on: February 18, 2020
A bumpy and winding but right path to domestic drug-eluting coronary stents
Jae Yeong Cho1, Youngkeun Ahn, Myung Ho Jeong
1Korea Cardiovascular Stent Research Institute of Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea.
Insights
This review highlights advancements in coronary stents, from early coated stents to modern drug-eluting stents (DESs). Despite progress, high restenosis rates and reliance on imported DESs necessitate developing domestic solutions in Korea.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Biomedical Engineering
- Interventional Cardiology
Background:
- Restenosis and stent thrombosis are significant complications following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for coronary artery disease.
- Coronary stent technology has evolved significantly since the late 1990s, with advancements including heparin-coated, abciximab-coated, and gene-delivery stents.
- Despite innovations, second-generation drug-eluting stents (DESs) still exhibit high restenosis rates in certain patient groups.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the historical development and current status of coronary stents investigated at the Heart Research Center.
- To emphasize the need for domestic coronary stent development in Korea.
- To advocate for research into novel DESs to improve safety and efficacy.
Main Methods:
- Review of historical data and research from the Heart Research Center.
- Analysis of current trends in coronary stent technology, including drug-eluting stents.
- Discussion of the challenges and future directions for coronary stent research.
Main Results:
- Significant progress has been made in coronary stent technology over the past two decades.
- Current second-generation DESs continue to face challenges with high restenosis rates.
- Korea heavily relies on imported coronary stents, indicating a gap in domestic production and innovation.
Conclusions:
- There is a critical need to develop indigenous coronary stents in Korea.
- Further research into newer DESs is essential to enhance safety and efficacy.
- Advancing domestic stent technology can address import dependency and improve patient outcomes.
Abstract:
Restenosis and stent thrombosis remain major concerns after percutaneous coronary intervention for the treatment of coronary artery disease. The present review was undertaken in order to highlight the various coronary stents that have been investigated in our Heart Research Center, and how far we have come from the first heparin-coated stent first used in the late 1990s. Thereafter, from the abciximab-coated stent to the current gene-delivery stent and other newer agents, our group has applied a range of techniques in this field. However, in groups similar to ours, the restenosis rates of such stents are still high for second-generation drug-eluting stents (DESs). Moreover, our nation imports almost all of these types of stents from other countries. Thus, we need to develop domestic coronary stents. Research into newer DESs are warranted in Korea so as to achieve improved safety and efficacy outcomes.
