NEW STENTS - OUR EXPERIENCE AND VISIONS

Intracoronary stents are the most widespread implants (besides tooth c rownings). They almost eliminated the threat of abrupt vessel closure during and after PTCA and reduced the incidence of restenosis in all t ypes of lesions. As a result, roughly 60% of all PTCA procedures are a ccompanied by a stent implantation. Currently, we are facing the third generation of stents that provide more flexibility, more radial stren gth, lower profiles and a variety of different lengths, and may be imp lanted at moderate balloon pressures. Stent restenosis is considered t he main issue of the remaining problems associated with PTCA. Computer calculated stent designs, coatings with antithrombotic and antiprolif erative compounds, coverings to act as a barrier against proliferation , and radioactivity are being thoroughly studied to finally defeat a m ajor iatrogenic disease: restenosis. The solution is likely to be foun d by the end of the year 2000.