Polymers in Cardiology

Abstract

Polymers have found widespread applications in cardiology, in particular in coronary vascular intervention as stent platforms, coating matrices for drug-eluting stents (DES) and drug-coated balloons (DCB) and for transcatheter valve therapy. Besides permanent polymers, biodegradable polymers came in focus of current research and development for medical applications, as they degrade once their function is fulfilled, which might efficiently reduce observed hypersensitivity reactions. After reviewing polymers used for cardiovascular applications, the book chapter deals with possible surface modification reactions of the polymers including the provision with a local drug delivery function and/or biofunctionalization in order to selectively control cell-implant interactions. These functionalizations can be furthermore designed to enhance bio- and hemo-compatibility, which is of special interest for cardiovascular implants and devices. A general discussion of bio- and hemo-compatibility of polymers for cardiovascular applications and corresponding evaluation methods is additionally given. With our own published data, we finally highlight exemplary polymer applications in cardiology as polymer-based biodegradable stent platforms, biodegradable polymeric coatings for DES and hydrogel-based coatings for DCB. Moreover, developed biofunctionalization strategies of polymers are discussed with regard to their application in cardiology.