Interv Akut Kardiol. 2011;10(1):14-16

Titanium stent - a new era in interventional cardiology ?

Miloslav Brtko

Kardiocentrum, Kardiochirurgická klinika LF UK a FN, Hradec Králové

Bare metal stents (BMS) have solved the problem of acute or abrupt coronary artery occlusion during percutaneous coronary interventions;

however, a more pronounced intimal hyperplasia was documented following their implantation compared to plain balloon angioplasty

and restenosis was reported in 20–30 % of patients. Drug-eluting stents (DES) substantially reduced the restenosis rate, but brought about

another problem – late and very late stent thrombosis. Titanium stent which, according to preclinical studies, stimulates the growth of

endothelial cells, reduces platelet and fibrinogen adhesion and fibrin deposition and reduces intimal hyperplasia is a possible alternative

to both BMS and DES. Compared to the first-generation BMS and DES, the titanium stent carries a lower risk of restenosis, clinical

events as well as of acute myocardial infarction and requires only short-term dual antiplatelet therapy. In this review article the results

of published studies as well as our own experience with the titanium stent are presented and discussed.

Keywords: titanium stent, bare metal stents, drug-eluting stents, restenosis

Published: March 12, 2011  Show citation