Pimecrolimus and dual pimecrolimus-paclitaxel eluting stents decrease neointimal proliferation in a porcine model.

Objectives And Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness and vascular response of a pimecrolimus drug eluting stent and a combination (pimecrolimus + paclitaxel) stent as compared with bare metal controls in the porcine coronary model.

Methods And Results: In the first phase of the study, cobalt chromium stents were loaded with an erodible polymer and either a slow release or a fast release formulation of pimecrolimus. Thirty stents (metal, n = 10; pimecrolimus slow, n = 10; pimecrolimus fast, n = 10) were implanted in the coronary arteries of 10 pigs.

Cobalt chromium stent with antiproliferative for restenosis trial in India (COSTAR I).

Background: The CoStar stent is a novel cobalt chromium stent designed specifically for drug delivery. The COSTAR I trial represents the first-in-man study of the CoStar Paclitaxel-Eluting Coronary Stent System evaluating three dose release formulations of paclitaxel in a bioresorbable polymer matrix in the treatment of de novo coronary lesions.

Methods: The COSTAR I Trial was a prospective, multi-center registry enrolling 87 patients in four Indian centers for treatment of up to two de novo lesions = 25 mm in length in a reference vessel 2.

The effect of variable release kinetics on Paclitaxel efficacy from a drug eluting stent in a porcine model.

Aims: Paclitaxel is a potent and effective inhibitor of neointimal proliferation after coronary stenting. The Conor stent loaded with Paclitaxel can be programmed with multi-parameter matrix of dose, temporal release profiles and release pathways. The aim of this study was to determine the most efficacious dose and release pattern of Paclitaxel in a porcine model and parallels the PISCES trial.

One-year clinical outcome of various doses and pharmacokinetic release formulations of paclitaxel eluted from an erodable polymer - Insight in the Paclitaxel In-Stent Controlled Elution Study (PISCES).

Aims: The one year clinical benefit of various doses and release durations of paclitaxel eluted from an erodable polymer has not been evaluated so far.

Methods And Results: Conor paclitaxel-eluting stents have intra-stent wells in which drug and polymer are deposited. Stents with six different release formulations (dose: 10 microg or 30 microg, duration: 5, 10 or 30 days, direction: mural or bidirectional) were implanted in 6 patient cohorts.

The effect of variable dose and release kinetics on neointimal hyperplasia using a novel paclitaxel-eluting stent platform: the Paclitaxel In-Stent Controlled Elution Study (PISCES).

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of variable dose and release kinetics of paclitaxel on neointimal hyperplasia.

Background: Conventional paclitaxel-eluting stents use a durable polymer coating as a vehicle for drug delivery. The Conor stent (Conor Medsystems, Menlo Park, California) with intra-strut wells and erodable polymer is specifically designed for drug delivery with programmable pharmacokinetics.

Local drug delivery via a coronary stent with programmable release pharmacokinetics.

Background: Fixed drug release kinetics and vessel wall partitioning may limit the effectiveness of drug-eluting stents. We report preliminary experience using a new coronary stent with programmable pharmacokinetics.

Methods And Results: A newly designed metallic stent contains honeycombed strut elements with inlaid stacked layers of drug and polymer.