Drug-eluting resorbable coronary scaffolds: a review of recent advances

Device-related persistent adverse events with current DES-use have refocused the attention on a 'leave-nothing-behind' philosophy, in which it is hypothesized that treating coronary stenosis without permanently caging the vessel with a metallic implant would lead to superior clinical outcomes. One of these uncaging technologies is bioresorbable scaffolds (BRS).

In this article, we describe the technical specifications and clinical data of currently available BRS devices.

Newer BRS devices have thinner struts and more biocompatible scaffold backbones (either polymer-based or metal-based), resulting in improved radial strength, faster resorption times, and more antithrombogenic properties (e.g. magnesium-based scaffolds). Results of BRS in the treatment of simple coronary artery disease demonstrate favorable clinical efficacy and safety outcome data. It is probable that over the next 5 years more fourth-generation devices with ever-increasing biocompatibility and safety profiles will be investigated and released commercially, resulting in a much more prominent role for BRS, especially in the treatment of simple coronary artery disease in younger patients.