Drug eluting stent

Drug-eluting stent (DES) is a coronary stent that is typically placed into narrowed, diseased coronary artery to help keep the artery open, and to improve blood flow to the heart muscle. The stent slowly releases a drug to block cell proliferation, which prevents neointimal hyperplasia that, in turn, could lead to restenosis of the stented segment.

History

The first drug-eluting stents were approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2003. These stents were coated with drugs that prevented the growth of scar tissue in the artery lining. This was a significant improvement over bare-metal stents, which had a higher rate of restenosis.

Types

There are several types of drug-eluting stents, which are classified based on the type of drug used and the type of coating on the stent. The most common types include paclitaxel-eluting stents and limus-based drugs eluting stents.

Mechanism of action

The drug-eluting stent works by slowly releasing a drug that prevents the growth of scar tissue in the artery lining. This helps to keep the artery open and improve blood flow to the heart muscle.

Benefits

The main benefit of drug-eluting stents is their ability to significantly reduce the risk of restenosis compared to bare-metal stents. They also reduce the need for repeat procedures to re-open the treated artery.

Risks

While drug-eluting stents have been shown to reduce the risk of restenosis, they also carry some risks. These include the risk of stent thrombosis, a rare but serious condition that can cause a heart attack or death.

Future developments

Future developments in drug-eluting stents include the development of bioresorbable stents, which are designed to dissolve and be absorbed by the body after they have done their job.