Next generation drug-eluting stents: focus on bioabsorbable platforms and polymers

The success of drug-eluting stents in preventing restenosis has shifted the focus of new stent development toward enhancing long term safety and efficacy of these devices, while simultaneously eliminating the need for indefinite dual antiplatelet therapy. A technical advance fulfilling these aims would hold tremendous potential to reduce morbidity, mortality and economic costs associated with the percutaneous treatment of coronary artery disease. An attractive approach is the use of bioabsorbable stent designs. These may include stents with different bioabsorbable drugs, bioabsorbable polymers or even bioabsorbable metallic backbones. A device that could achieve excellent acute and long-term results, but disappear completely within months (thereby avoiding the need for prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy), would be a tremendous advance. Too good to be true? We explore here the scientific rationale and prospects for success with this exciting concept.