Current perspectives on the role of bioresorbable scaffolds in the management of coronary artery disease

Abstract

New-generation drug-eluting stents are recommended as the default option in all clinical conditions and lesion subsets in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). On the other hand, despite achieving very good results in the rate of restenosis, permanent delivery of a metallic platform is affected by several drawbacks, such as caging of the vessel, side branch jailing, impairment of vasomotion, and the impossibility of lumen enlargement. Also, the presence of residual foreign material may increase the risk of late and very late stent thrombosis and support the need for long-term dual antiplatelet therapy after PCI. These pending limitations of metallic stents can be addressed by the implantation of bioresorbable scaf­folds (BRSs). At present, there are numerous devices available for preclinical or clinical evaluation. This review discusses the evidence for BRS in the management of patients with coronary artery disease.