
Bioresorbable stents are considered to be the 'fourth revolution' in percutaneous coronary intervention. The first clinically available Absorb(®) bioresorbable device is made of poly-l-lactic acid polymer and elutes everolimus. The process of bioresorption is completed in 3 years.
What is the goal of a bioresorbable stent?
Therefore, the goal of a bioresorbable or “temporary” stent is to fully support the vessel during this critical period, and then resorb from the body when it is no longer needed. Bioabsorbable scaffolds, or naturally dissolving stents, that have been investigated include base materials that are either metals or polymers.
Are metal scaffolds better than polymers for bioresorbable stents?
However, metal platforms should not be discounted as they may offer significant advantages over polymers. Right now polymer-based scaffolds (which are made of PLLA) have simply outpaced metallic bioresorbable stents when it comes to the quantity of data available.
Are bioresorbable stents a good alternative to eluting stents?
Bioresorable (also known as bioabsorbable) stents are being held up as a promising alternative to standard drug eluting stents. But there's an internal battle (no pun intended) going on with bioresorable stents as well. Are polymer-based bioresorbable stents ideal for patients? Or should doctor's opt for their metal counterparts?
What is a Bioresorbable Scaffold?
Bioresorbable stents: Current and upcoming bioresorbable technologies Bioresorbable scaffolds (BRS) represent a novel horizon in interventional cardiology for the treatment of coronary artery disease.

What material is a stent made of?
Stents can be made of metal mesh, fabric, silicone, or combinations of materials. Stents used for coronary arteries are made of metal mesh. Fabric stents, also called stent grafts, are used in larger arteries such as the aorta. Stents used in the airways of the lungs are often made of silicone.
What are dissolvable stents made of?
Absorb naturally dissolving stent The Absorb Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffold system is a temporary device made of polylactide, a naturally dissolvable polymer that is commonly used in medical implants, such as dissolving sutures.
What material is best for stents?
Stainless steel: this is the most common material used for stents. Its advantages include good X-ray visibility; a fairly elastic and resistant consistency; and good biocompatibility. These qualities make this type of stent very suitable for balloon insertion and preventing sudden vessel closure.
How do bioresorbable stents work?
While traditional metal stents are permanent implants and can restrict vessel motion, the Absorb bioresorbable stent is made of a dissolving polymer, similar to dissolving sutures, allowing the artery to pulse and flex naturally.
How long does a dissolvable stent last?
Both traditional and dissolving stents often contain medication that is slowly released over time to treat the diseased area of the artery where the stent was placed. Dissolving stents fully disappear within about three years.
Is bioresorbable stent FDA approved?
FDA has approved the first bioresorbable stent in the U.S. made by Boston Scientific to treat coronary artery disease.
How long do heart stents usually last?
A stent is permanent. Once placed, you'll have it for life, which your body can safely tolerate. If your arteries narrow again, you'll need to have the procedure again to correct it. If this happens, it's usually within the first 6 months.
What is the best type of stent?
Multi-Link Vision™ has been the leading BMS in the U.S. since its introduction. It is constructed of a cobalt-chromium alloy that is more radiopaque than stainless steel stents. This alloy is also stronger than stainless steel, which allows stent construction to be much thinner while still retaining its strength.
What is the biggest risk of a stent procedure?
About 1% to 2% of people who have a stent may get a blood clot where the stent is placed. This can put you at risk for a heart attack or stroke. Your risk of getting a blood clot is highest during the first few months after the procedure.
Can a magnet affect a stent?
Conclusion: The magnetic force on the investigated paramagnetic stents is even smaller than the gravitational force acting on the stents in the Earth's gravity field, so that it has no physiological impact on the stented vessels.
How long does a steel stent last?
How long will a stent last? It is permanent. There is just a 2–3 per cent risk of narrowing coming back, and if that happens it is usually within 6–9 months.
How long does a metal biliary stent last?
The biliary stenting is performed either with plastic or metal stents, studies recommending their replacement after 3-6 months.
What is an esophageal stent made of?
Currently, esophageal stents are made from metal alloy compounds and durable polymers, and these stents are used for the treatment of a variety of benign and malignant esophageal conditions.
Are stents metal or plastic?
Metal stents have a wider diameter than plastic stents, and have been shown to have higher patency rates, but are also 15-40 times the cost of plastic stents. Metal stents with a polymer coating have been developed to prevent tumor ingrowth into the stent, which can lead to stent occlusion.
Is a heart stent metal or plastic?
A coronary artery stent is a small, metal mesh tube that is placed inside a coronary artery to help keep the artery open. To place the stent, a small sheath, plastic tube, is placed in the groin or wrist artery. A catheter is guided through the artery into the part of the coronary artery that is blocked.
What are kidney stone stents made of?
All ureteral stents are made of polyurethane or silicone; metallic stents are not used in ureters. A double-J ureteral stent is completely internal and has a “pigtail” at each end (Fig. 35-3A). Its proximal coil is situated in the renal pelvis, and its distal coil is situated in the urinary bladder.
Background
The use of metal drug-eluting stents presents some potential drawbacks. These include a predisposition to late stent thrombosis, prevention of late vessel adaptive or expansive remodeling, hindrance of surgical revascularization, and impairment of imaging with multislice CT.
Base materials
Bioabsorbable scaffolds, or naturally dissolving stents, that have been investigated include base materials that are either metals or polymers. While polymer-based scaffolds had a strong presence at first, they have meanwhile lost some appeal due to safety concerns and focus is now shifted more towards metallic magnesium-based scaffolds.
Clinical research
Clinical research has shown that resorbable scaffolds, or naturally dissolving stents, offer comparable efficacy and safety profile to drug-eluting stents. Specifically, the Magmaris resorbable magnesium scaffold has reported a favorable safety profile with low target lesion failure and scaffold thrombosis rates.
