Zn-alloy provides a novel platform for mechanically stable bioresorbable vascular stents.

Metallic Zn alloys have recently gained interest as potential candidates for developing platforms of bioresorbable vascular stents (BVS). Previous studies revealed that Mg alloys used for BVS can degrade too early, whereas PLLA materials may fail to provide effective scaffolding properties. Here we report on results of a new bioresorbable, metallic stent made from a Zn-Ag alloy studied in a porcine animal model of thrombosis and restenosis.

Transient hyperoxic reoxygenation reduces cytochrome C oxidase activity by increasing superoxide dismutase and nitric oxide.

Oxygen therapies have been shown to be cytoprotective in a dose-dependent fashion. Previously, we have characterized the protective effects of moderate hyperoxia on cell viability of ischemic human cardiomyocytes and their mitochondrial membrane potential by transient addition of oxygenated perfluorocarbons to the cell medium. Now, we report that the activity and expression of cytochrome c oxidase (COX) after prolonged ischemia depend on the amount of oxygen delivered during reoxygenation.

Differences of platelet adhesion and thrombus activation on amorphous silicon carbide, magnesium alloy, stainless steel, and cobalt chromium stent surfaces.

Background: Coronary stenting is considered to be the gold standard of percutaneous coronary interventions, because stents are able to reduce early and late elastic recoil (negative remodeling) and restenosis in comparison with balloon angioplasty alone.

Objective: It is known that stent thrombogenicity and neointimal formation are determined by the surface characteristics of the stent platform, electrochemical features of the stent surface, and the degree of degradation after implantation. Metallic stents coated with amorphous silicon carbide and biodegradable stents made of magnesium alloy have been introduced clinically, but there are no data available comparing the biocompatibility of these novel stent materials with conventional stents.

Oxygenated perfluorochemicals improve cell survival during reoxygenation by pacifying mitochondrial activity.

Perfluorochemicals (PFCs) are known to provide a unique tool for controlled uptake and delivery of oxygen. We have characterized the effects of incremental oxygen delivery on cell viability of human ischemic cardiomyocytes using chemically inert PFCs as oxygen carrier. We have found that cell viability after prolonged ischemia depends on the dose of oxygen supplementation by oxygenated (ox) PFCs during reoxygenation.

Reoxygenation of human coronary smooth muscle cells suppresses HIF-1alpha gene expression and augments radiation-induced growth delay and apoptosis.

Background And Purpose: Catheter-based coronary brachytherapy with beta- and gamma-radiation is an evidence-based method to prevent restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and stent implantation, but the outcome may be subject to improvements. Physiological studies suggest that most of the target cells of brachytherapy in coronary arteries after PTCA are hypoxic. A lack of oxygen decreases the effect of low LET (linear energy transfer) irradiation.

Particle debris from a nanoporous stent coating obscures potential antiproliferative effects of tacrolimus-eluting stents in a porcine model of restenosis.

Polymer stent coatings may not be suitable for drug elution because of inherent proinflammatory effects. A previous study suggested a beneficial effect of a stent eluting tacrolimus from a nanoporous ceramic aluminum oxide coating in a rabbit restenosis model. We investigated whether this stent is effective in preventing in-stent restenosis in a porcine restenosis model.

Reoxygenation of hypoxic coronary smooth muscle cells amplifies growth-retarding effects of ionizing irradiation.

Background: Hypoxic human coronary smooth muscle cells (HCSMCs) are possible targets for brachytherapy to prevent restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angiography. It is unclear whether growth kinetics and gene expression of these cells undergoing gamma-irradiation are changed by reoxygenation.

Methods And Results: Hypoxic (H) and hypoxia-reoxygenated (H-R) HCSMCs were irradiated with gamma-radiation at single doses of 4, 8, and 16 Gy using a 60Co-source.

Drug-eluting stent: the "magic bullet" for prevention of restenosis?

The need for repeat interventions after initially successful PTCA due to restenosis has been called the "Archilles heel" of a percutaneous revascularization procedure. The incidence of restenosis varies between 20-50 % depending on the stent material, the presence of risk factors, and the location of vascular disease. Some risk factors such as diabetes have been clearly identified, others are currently debated.

Role of the "dogbone" effect of balloon-expandable stents: quantitative coronary analysis of DUET and NIR stent implantation introducing a novel indexing system.

Unlabelled: Stent design and deployment characteristics of balloon-expandable stents may play an important role in determining both early and late outcomes of stenting. The purpose of this study was to compare the percent residual stenosis (RS) of two new-generation stent delivery systems, DUET and NIR, in patients with CAD. From September 1998 1999, a total of 100 consecutive patients with CAD receiving either a DUET (18 or 23 mm length; n = 50) or NIR stent (16 or 25 mm length; n = 50) using a 3.