DRUG ELUTING STENTS - A NEW CLASS OF COMBINATION PRODUCT

摘要

Drug Eluting Stent (DES) is a drug-device combination product. It is a metal stent coated with a pharmacological agent (drug). The drug interferes with the process of restenosis and prevents the reblocking of the artery. DES has been shown to reduce the incidence of restenosis from 20-30% range to single digits. A polymer is usually mixed-in with the drug to control the release of the drug into the vessel wall.