Abstract
The biggest challenge in the treatment of arterial stenosis remains the issue of optimization of stent design. Despite continuous improvement in surgical techniques and use of intensive pharmacotherapy, the results of stent coronary interventions may be unsatisfactory, and long-term interaction of a metal implant with a blood vessel results in complications such as recurrent stenosis and thrombosis. Therefore, it is necessary to search for new materials and stent designs to obtain a stent capable of restoring flow in the vessel and disappearing after fulfilling its function. Such stent must also be compatible with the vessel wall to enable regeneration of new structure of endothelium and deeper artery layers damaged during implantation. Consequently, there is ongoing search for functional solutions with minimum effects of long-term implant-tissue interaction. In light of the above, the team investigated the possibility of using biodegradable polymers already mentioned in the literature as a construction material for vascular stent. The study used three polyhydroxyacids based on lactic acid and glycolic acid: poly(l-lactide), poly(lactide-co-glycolide) and poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide). The research focused on assessing changes in mechanical, thermomechanical, rheological, and fatigue properties during the process of hydrolytic degradation. The analysis also covered the rate of release of degradation products. The results of the conducted tests indicate the possibility of developing a vascular stent with biodegradable polymers.
Highlights
One of the most commonly used methods of treatment of stenosis of blood vessels is stent angioplasty
It can be concluded that an ideal stent should support vessel wall after angioplasty and biomechanically support vascular functions for the time needed for its regeneration, and after fulfilling that task it would degrade and disappear
In the case of poly(l-lactide) (PLLA), following the five-month incubation period, the decrease in strength and deformability of the material does not exceed 10 %, which is favorable in terms of supporting vessel wall for the time needed for its regeneration
Summary
One of the most commonly used methods of treatment of stenosis of blood vessels is stent angioplasty. The procedures involves introduction of a stent to the affected vessel, which after expansion “irons” the atherosclerotic plaque into the vessel wall, restores its patency, and supports it. The scaffolding function of a stent is most important during the first few weeks after surgery. Later on its presence is redundant and in many cases even dangerous. As a foreign body stent causes adverse effects such as restenosis or thrombosis, which lead to restenosis. It can be concluded that an ideal stent should support vessel wall after angioplasty and biomechanically support vascular functions for the time needed for its regeneration, and after fulfilling that task it would degrade and disappear
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