A Review on the Radial Strength of Bioresorbable Coronary Scaffolds

Abstract

This review presents the radial strength of bioresorbable scaffolds (BRS) with respect to clinical significances, the recent advances, current inadequacies, and future enhancement measures. To evaluate the radial strength of BRS, the related imaging results from clinical trials assessing several typical devices are summarized, including Absorb bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS), DESolve scaffold, and Mg-based BRS. These findings show that the radial strength of BRS has been enhanced greatly in recent years. However, as compared with the leading drug-eluting stent (DES), none of these latest approved BRS can always maintain sufficient radial strength within the required time even if they have thicker strut. To improve the radial strength of BRS fundamentally, we propose that biodegradable materials be mixed with some reinforcing agents and plasticizers of the optimum contents and processed targetedly like annealing. The best combination of these material modifications is expected to achieve high molecular weight and increased crystallinity, making BRS have optimal mechanical properties on premise of sufficient radial strength without introducing new problems. We hope that this review of the radial strength of BRS will provide insights for researchers to manufacture BRS that can eliminate restenosis.