[Bioresorbable scaffolds - nobody is perfect (yet)]

The new generation drug eluting stents have improved the results of coronary angioplasty by reducing the rate of instent restenosis and stent thrombosis compared to earlier devices, due to the thinner stent struts and improved or bioresorbable polymers. But permanent metallic stent struts may have some long term harmful effects such as inducing late thrombosis, neoatherosclerosis, restenosis and also impairing vasomotion and endothelial function. This was the rationale for introducing bioresorbable stents which offer radial support to the artery during the period needed (scaffolding) and then disappear, (liberating the vessels and restoring its physiological vasomotion. New randomized studies have shown their non-inferiority compared to new generation metallic drug eluting stents, but there are still some challenges to be overcome.