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Purpose: To assess the technical feasibility, thrombogenicity, and biocompatibility of a new biodegradable poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) anastomotic stent. Methods: A polytetrafluoroethylene bifurcated graft was implanted in 17 pigs through a midline abdominal incision. After transverse graft incision, 17 316L stainless steel stents and 17 PLLA stents were randomly implanted at both lilac anastomotic sites and deployed with a 6-mm balloon under direct vision without angiography. Intended follow-up was 1 week in 6 pigs receiving oral acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and in 7 pigs receiving ASA/clopidogrel; 4 pigs receiving ASA/clopidogrel were followed for 6 weeks. At the end of the study, the segments containing the stents were surgically explanted and processed for histology to measure the mean luminal diameter, intimal thickness, and the vascular injury and inflammation scores. Results: Initial technical success of stent placement was achieved in all animals without rupture of the suture. Two pigs died (unrelated to the stent) at 3 days after operation (1 in groups A and B). At 1 week, all PLLA stents showed thrombotic occlusion with the use of ASA alone. In contrast, all PLLA stents remained patent with concurrent administration of ASA/clopidogrel. All metal stents were patent regardless of the antiplatelet regimen. The mean luminal diameter of patent PLLA stents (4.13±0.17 mm) was comparable to metal stents (4.27±0.35 mm, p=0.78) at 1 week, but significantly diminished at 6 weeks (3.21±0.44 versus 4.19±0.18 mm, p=0.005). Histological analysis showed no signs of excessive recoil. PLLA stents induced a higher inflammation score (1.79±0.56) and more intimal hyperplasia (0.34±0.11 mm) compared to metal stents [1.27±0.44 mm (p<0.001) and 0.18±0.04 mm (p=0.006), respectively] at 6 weeks. Vascular injury was comparable between PLLA and metal stents. Conclusion: Biodegradable PLLA stents showed higher thrombogenicity and reduced patency compared to metal stents during early follow-up. Although ASA and clopidogrel prevented thrombotic occlusion, the increased inflammatory response and neointima formation remain major concerns of PLLA stents. A solution to this problem might be the incorporation of anti-inflammatory drugs into the PLLA stent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To assess technical feasibility and biocompatibility of a new Sirolimus (SIR)-eluting biodegradable poly-l-lactide (PLLA) stent for peripheral vascular application. Material and methods: In 15 pigs, both common carotid arteries (CCA) were surgically exposed and clamped in the proximal segment. After transverse incision, 12 316L stents, 12 unloaded and 6 SIR-loaded PLLA stents mounted on 6.0 × 40-mm balloon catheters were randomly implanted into the CCA and inflated to 8 bar. Angiographic equipment was not available. Stented CCA were explanted after 1 week (6 pigs; 316L versus PLLA) and 6 weeks (9 pigs; 316L versus PLLA versus SIR-PLLA), and processed for quantitative histomorphometry and estimation of vascular inflammation and injury scores. Results: No animals were lost during follow-up. All stents were patent on histological analysis without any signs of excessive recoiling or collapse. Unloaded PLLA stents showed decreased residual lumen area and increased neointimal area after 1 week (13.16 ± 0.34, 1.94 ± 0.26) and 6 weeks (11.57 ± 0.30, 2.85 ± 0.24) as compared with 316L stents (15.26 ± 0.13, 1.27 ± 0.41 and 13.99 ± 0.51, 1.54 ± 0.59). SIR-eluting stents demonstrated comparable neointimal area (1.75 ± 0.38) and 50% lower intimal thickness as compared with 316L stents after 6 weeks, but a slightly decreased residual lumen (13.06 ± 0.32) in the consequence of differences in strut thickness (PLLA, 270 μm; 316L, 155 μm). The vascular inflammation score against PLLA-stents could be reduced by Sirolimus. The vascular injury scores were low and similar in all groups. Conclusions: PLLA stents showed sufficient mechanical stability after porcine CCA stenting. By incorporation of Sirolimus, a significant reduction of the inflammatory and neointimal response to the PLLA stent was seen without systemic toxicity or thrombotic complications. These findings need to be assessed with longer follow-up to confirm maintenance of efficacy. The greater strut height of PLLA stents is a major limitation and requires modification. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]