An appraisal of polymers of DES technology and their impact on drug release kinetics

Abstract

Drug-eluting stents (DES) are the best choice of the current era to open the occluded arteries. Its success depends upon the concentration of the drug and overall release kinetics, which in turn is subjected to the polymeric drug carrier and mechanism of drug release at the target area. Each generation of DES possess different characteristics based on different aspects i.e., polymer type, coating layer thickness, and drug concentration have been discussed. This review paper discusses all the polymers utilized in DES systems and their release profiles when combined with multiple drugs for the treatment of coronary heart disease.

Graphical Abstract

Highlights

• Drug-coated metal stents are used to support and improve the quality of life of patients with cardiovascular diseases.

• This review describes the properties of drug-eluting stent from different generations and challenges they offered.

• Nature of polymeric drug carriers affects the inflammation, lesion healing, rate of restenosis, and thrombosis.

• Ongoing research in DES technology aims to avoid the challenges offered by non-erodible polymeric drug carriers.

• Third-generation DES utilizes PLA-based polymers which are biocompatible, flexible, and erodible.

• Bioresorbable DES is future of DES technology; however, it is still in primitive stages and overcoming the issues of mechanical strength and corrosion.

Keywords:

• Drug-eluting stent
• drug release kinetics
• percutaneous coronary intervention
• PLA
• polymer coating
• sirolimus

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge Dr. Mariam Mir (N-ovative Health Technologies, Islamabad) for providing her support and valuable feedback during data collection.

Authors’ contributions

SH did the literature review and prepared the manuscript. MNA supervised and critically reviewed the paper. BG helped in literature review and manuscript drafting.