Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)


Print Feedback Export to File
7022333 
Journal Article 
Polytetrafluoroethylene-covered stents: Indications, advantages, and limitations 
Storger, H; Haase, J; , 
1999 
Yes 
Journal of Interventional Cardiology
ISSN: 0896-4327
EISSN: 1540-8183 
WILEY-HINDAWI 
LONDON 
451-456 
WOS:000083936400008 
Stents are the most important advance for percutaneous coronary revascularization. However, restenosis, peripheral embolism following stent implantation in old vein grafts, and conditions in which there is a discontinuity of the coronary lumen (rupture or perforation, aneurysm, and fistula) remain a problem in interventional therapy. Stent grafts with integration of a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane into a coronary stent represent an interesting concept to possibly prevent intraluminal proliferation, to seal degenerated vein grafts, and to cover coronary artery perforations, symptomatic aneurysms, and fistula with high success and acceptable rates of acute complications. Based on a potentially delayed reendothelization of PTFE-covered stents, possibly leading to late thrombo-occlusive events, prolonged antiplatelet therapy seems to be necessary. Although the overall information about restenosis in stent grafts is limited, there are some promising long-term results in degenerated vein grafts that require confirmation by randomized, controlled studies.