A novel approach to temporary stenting: degradable cardiovascular stents produced from corrodible metal - results 6-18 months after implantation intoNew Zealand white rabbits

Objective-To determine whether corrodible materials may be safely used as b iodegradable cardiovascular implants. Design-Corrodible iron stents (> 99.8% iron) were produced from pure iron a nd laser cut with a stent design similar to a commercially available perman ent stent (PUVA-AS16). A total of 16 NOR-I stents were implanted into the n ative descending aorta of 16 New Zealand white rabbits (mean luminal diamet er at the implantation site 3.4 mm, balloon diameter to vessel diameter rat io 1.13). Results-No thromboembolic complications and no adverse events occurred duri ng the follow up of 6-18 months. All stents were patent at repeat angiograp hy after 6 (n = 9), 12 (n = 5), and 18 months (n = 2) with no significant n eointimal proliferation, no pronounced inflammatory response, and no system ic toxicity. Conclusions-This initial in vivo experience suggests that degradable iron s tents can be safely implanted without significant obstruction of the stente d vessel caused by inflammation, neointimal proliferation, or thrombotic ev ents.