Pitavastatin-incorporated nanoparticle-eluting stents attenuate in-stent stenosis without delayed endothelial healing effects in a porcine coronary artery model.

Abstract

The use of currently marketed drug-eluting stents presents safety concerns including increased late thrombosis, which is thought to result mainly from delayed endothelial healing effects (impaired re-endothelialization resulting in abnormal inflammation and fibrin deposition). We recently developed a bioabsorbable polymeric nanoparticle (NP)-eluting stent using a novel cationic electrodeposition technology. Statins are known to inhibit the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and to promote vascular healing. We therefore hypothesized that statin-incorporated NP-eluting stents would attenuate in-stent stenosis without delayed endothelial healing effects.