Vnitr Lek 1993, 39(5):420-423

[Intracoronary "stents" in the treatment of ischemic heart disease. Brief review].

J Kovác: Katedra chorob vnitrních III., LF UP Olomouc.

The author present a brief review of the contemporary development of stents. Stents are used in the therapy of ischaemic heart disease, they are "tubes" inserted by methods of intervention cardioangiology into the coronary lumen to ensure their patency. At present they are indicated in particular in the treatment of acute arterial obliteration after PTCA. Stents used at present do not meet the demands required by long-term follow up. Stents used at present in clinical work are made from different metals. The authors describe also experimental experience with stents made from bioabsorbable materials which potentially appear to have much more suitable properties as regards maintenance of long-term patency of the affected artery. The properties of an "ideal stent" are described.