The Ultimaster® coronary stent system: state of the art

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been a mainstay in the management of coronary artery disease since its introduction in the late 1970s. Bare-metal stent (BMS) and then first- and second-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) have enhanced the results of PCI by improving early results and reducing the risk of restenosis and stent thrombosis (ST). The delay of re-endothelialization and recovery of endothelial function after stenting as well as inhibition of vascular repair after DES implantation, in part related to permanent polymers, are consider important part of ST pathophysiology mechanism. Several progresses have been made to overcome this issue, among them the development of new more biocompatible - first - and completely biodegradable - then - polymer coatings. A third-generation DES using a biodegradable polymer and eluting sirolimus (Ultimaster®, Terumo Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) has been recently introduced to overcome the long-term adverse vascular reactions. Thanks to the polymer coating applied to the outside surface only (abluminal side), the total drug dose applied on the stent platform has been reduced, leaving the luminal side of the stent free from drug and polymer to enhance endothelial coverage. Indeed, 3-4 months after implantation, the Ultimaster® DES has lost most of its coating, acquiring a profile similar to conventional BMS. This article reviews the recent publications investigating the safety and effectiveness of the bioresorbable polymer sirolimus-eluting Ultimaster® stent (BP-SES), for the treatment of coronary artery lesions.