Drug-Eluting, Bioresorbable Cardiovascular Stents─Challenges and Perspectives

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Cardiovascular Research
• Materials Science

Background:

• Coronary heart disease and diabetes are leading global causes of death.
• Atherosclerosis, caused by plaque buildup, reduces blood flow and necessitates interventions like stenting.
• Stent restenosis, due to endothelial tissue overgrowth, and thrombosis, a risk with early drug-eluting stents (DESs), remain significant clinical challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current advancements in stent design, fabrication, and functionalization for cardiovascular applications.
• To explore drug encapsulation and controlled elution strategies, focusing on reducing adverse events like thrombosis.
• To highlight novel nanoencapsulation techniques and their application in bioresorbable DESs.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on stent technology, materials, and drug delivery systems.
• Analysis of mechanical properties, metal alloys, and degradation characteristics of stents.
• Investigation of polymeric coatings, layer-by-layer techniques, and nanoencapsulation methods (liposomes, emulsions).

Main Results:

• Drug-eluting stents (DESs) utilize antiproliferative drugs to manage restenosis.
• Everolimus, delivered via lipid systems, shows promise in mitigating thrombosis and myocardial infarction risk.
• Advances in nanoencapsulation and bioresorbable materials are enhancing DES performance and safety.

Conclusions:

• Optimized stent design, material selection, and controlled drug elution are crucial for effective cardiovascular treatment.
• Novel nanoencapsulation techniques, including liposomes and emulsions, offer improved drug delivery for DESs.
• Bioresorbable, drug-eluting stents represent a significant advancement in minimizing long-term complications and improving patient outcomes.