Current status and prospects for the use of temporary stents

Temporary stenting appears to be an attractive potential therapy that combines some of the benefits of permanent stenting without the need for permanent endovascular prostheses and oral anticoagulation. The devices used for temporary stenting are still evolving. The Flow Support Catheter showed promise in the early clinical trial phase but is not being pursued by the original manufacturer because the device was associated with a high rate of thrombosis and suboptimal overall success rate. The experience with the Instent is limited and the removal of its unattached version relies upon catching the end of the stent in the retrieval device (a wire loop); also, its safety and reliability still need to be proved. The HARTS device is currently in the preclinical phase, but available data from animal studies show it to be a feasible device for coronary use. Its potential applications include use as a permanent stent, a temporary stent, a repositionable stent, a primary lesion-dilating device, or a local drug-delivery vehicle. Clinical trials are likely to commence in the foreseeable future for one or more of these applications.