Next Generation of Stents Responds to Problems

Related Encyclopedia • Alzheimer's Disease • Aneurysms • Angina Pectoris • Angiogram More... Related Healthscout Videos Howard: The Helping Hand for Stroke Survivors Fixing Torn Hearts Medicine's Next Big Thing? Growing Hearts How can a supportive family help? More... Related Animations • Alzheimer's Disease Video Animation • Angioplasty • Coronary Bypass Surgery • Erectile Dysfunction More... Related Drug Information • Accupril • Actonel • Altace • Avapro More... Related News Articles • Pacemakers Change Biology of the Heart • Lack of Sleep Hurts Women's Hearts Most • More Seniors Falling Victim to Escalator Injuries • Gene Linked to Form of Parkinson's Disease More...

Page:  << Prev | 1 | 2 | 3 | Next >>

In the first, Dr. Marcel Beijk, from the University of Amsterdam, and his colleagues treated 152 patients with a stent coated with an antibody that attracted the endothelial cells that line blood vessels, and speeded healing. Before the stents were put in place, the patients had two weeks of statin therapy to increase the number of endothelial cells, Beijk explained.

"This accelerated healing may reduce restenosis, and may prevent stent thrombosis," he added.

Over six months, there was one death, one patient had a heart attack, three patients needed further procedures on the stented artery, and one needed stenting in another artery.

Text Continues Below

---

"While this is still an early study, it offers a whole new look at the use of stents and the process of healing damaged tissue throughout the body," Beijk said in a prepared statement. "As we look at new treatment combinations, we believe this is a step in the right direction to offer patients better long-term success rates."

In the other study, Dr. Patrick W. Serruys, a professor of interventional cardiology at Erasmus University, in Rotterdam, and his colleagues tested a biodegradable stent that is expected to disintegrate over time.

"Through Mother Nature, the backbone of the stent is completely digested and metabolized," Serruys explained. "This is a drug-eluting stent where the structure is going to disappear with time."

The potential advantage of such a stent is that it may reduce stent thrombosis, and make it easier to perform new stenting procedures on the same blood vessel. In addition, it may also make it easier to take an MRI or CT scan of the stented vessel, the researchers noted.

Early results were promising for the 30 patients who received the biodegradable stent. After 30 days, the stent appeared to be safe and effective. "These stents behave very much like a metallic stent," Serruys said.

Page:  << Prev | 1 | 2 | 3 | Next >>