Evaluation of coronary stents in the animal model: A review

Metallic vascular endoprotheses (stents) have been introduced clinically to help to retain or to restore a patent vascular lumen after balloon angiopl asty and to improve long-term patency of vessels. Despite the widespread us e of intracoronary stents, instent restenosis remains a major clinical prob lem. During the last years considerable research effort had been spent on t he understanding of the pathophysiology of restenosis and developing strate gies to prevent this major shortcoming of PTCA and stent implantation. The current review focuses in its first part on basic pathophysiological mechan isms, which are involved in the formation of restenosis after ballon angiop lasty and stent implantation. In the second part different animal models ar e presented, which serve as experimental models for examining these process es and testing strategies for the prevention of restenosis. Advantages and disadvantages of each model will be discussed, which are important when tra nsferring results from animal models to clinical practice.