Drug-eluting stents

Definition

Drug-eluting stents are specialized medical devices placed in narrowed arteries to keep them open while releasing medication that helps prevent the re-narrowing of the artery. These stents are coated with drugs that inhibit cell proliferation and inflammation, significantly improving outcomes for patients undergoing procedures like angioplasty. Their design combines the mechanical support of traditional stents with the therapeutic benefits of targeted drug delivery, making them crucial in cardiovascular interventions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Drug-eluting stents are typically coated with antiproliferative agents like sirolimus or paclitaxel, which help reduce the risk of in-stent restenosis.
2. The use of drug-eluting stents has been shown to lower the rate of revascularization procedures compared to bare-metal stents.
3. These stents can be made from various materials, including metals like stainless steel or cobalt-chromium, often combined with biocompatible polymers.
4. Drug release from these stents can be controlled by the type of polymer used and its degradation rate, allowing for a customized therapeutic approach.
5. Long-term studies have indicated that while drug-eluting stents reduce restenosis rates, there is a slight increased risk of late thrombosis, requiring careful patient management.

Review Questions

• How do drug-eluting stents work to prevent re-narrowing of arteries after placement?
  • Drug-eluting stents work by slowly releasing medication that inhibits cell growth and inflammation in the artery wall. This controlled drug release helps prevent excessive tissue formation that could lead to re-narrowing, known as restenosis. By combining the mechanical support of a traditional stent with a therapeutic drug delivery system, these devices significantly improve patient outcomes following procedures like angioplasty.
• Discuss the advantages and potential risks associated with the use of drug-eluting stents compared to bare-metal stents.
  • Drug-eluting stents offer significant advantages over bare-metal stents by dramatically reducing rates of restenosis and the need for repeat revascularization procedures. However, they come with potential risks such as an increased chance of late thrombosis due to prolonged healing times. Patients with drug-eluting stents often require extended dual antiplatelet therapy to mitigate this risk, making careful monitoring and management essential.
• Evaluate how advancements in biopolymers have influenced the development and efficacy of drug-eluting stents in recent years.
  • Advancements in biopolymers have greatly enhanced the design and functionality of drug-eluting stents. New polymer formulations allow for better control over drug release kinetics and improved biocompatibility, leading to reduced inflammatory responses and enhanced integration with vascular tissue. This innovation not only optimizes therapeutic effectiveness but also addresses safety concerns such as late thrombosis by providing more predictable degradation profiles. As biopolymer technology continues to evolve, it holds promise for further improving patient outcomes in cardiovascular interventions.

Related terms

angioplasty: A minimally invasive procedure used to open narrowed or blocked blood vessels, often performed alongside the placement of a stent.

biopolymers: Natural or synthetic polymers used in medical applications, including stent coatings that control drug release.

in-stent restenosis: The re-narrowing of a blood vessel after a stent has been placed, which drug-eluting stents aim to reduce.