Future Directions In Stent Technology Unveiled At The VEITH Symposium

Main Category: Medical Devices / Diagnostics
Also Included In: Cardiovascular / Cardiology
Article Date: 24 Nov 2008 - 9:00 PST

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Götz M. Richter, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Radiology, Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Vice Chairman at the University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany discussed problems with current stents and presented some of the new developments in the technology.

Past problems polymer deficiencies, impurity, poor device-to-blood interface (i.e. endothelial cells don't "like" the polymers). Dr. Richter discussed the Nanoscale Polyzene-F stent, which is showing results of being much better in background and molecular structure, with high purity, and a hydrophobic surface that translates into ideal cell "friendliness."

The coating, or lining, promotes restenosis when examined at four weeks. The Atlanta FIM Catania Stent Study, presented at the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) conference in 2008, showed a 100% technical success.

The results included zero percent thrombosis in patients discontinuing anti-platelet therapy after only 30 days. At twelve months, there was also zero percent death, myocardial infarction, stroke, or coronary artery bypass graft.

Dr. Richter stated that breaking studies in computational fluid dynamics showed a great early potential for high tech engineered modifications of the stent design, comparing it to the new wing technology in airplanes, relating to the significance of wall sheer (WSS).

Stated Dr. Richter, "Areas of low WSS contain a greater amount of neoinimal hyperplasia than areas subjected to higher WSS."

VEITH SYMPOSIUM - New York, November 19th to 23rd

Now in its fourth decade, VEITH SYMPOSIUM provides vascular surgeons, interventional radiologists, interventional cardiologists and other vascular specialists with a unique and exciting format to learn the most current information about what is new and important in the treatment of vascular disease. The 5-day event features rapid-fire presentations from world renowned vascular specialists with emphasis on the latest advances, changing concepts in diagnosis and management, pressing controversies and new techniques.

VEITHsymposium is sponsored by Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH.

www.veithsymposium.org

Source
Pauline T. Mayer
www.ptmhcm.com