Evolution of Drug-Eluting Stents: A Biomedical Engineering Breakthrough in Cardiovascular Intervention

Abstract

When compared to bare-metal stents, drug-eluting stents (DES) dramatically lower restenosis rates, revolutionizing interventional cardiology. With an emphasis on stent design, medication selection, and polymer coatings, this paper examines the developments in DES technology. The creation of biodegradable polymers, the optimization of medication release kinetics, and the switch from first- to second- and third-generation stents are some of the major trends identified by a systematic review of research published between 2010 and 2023. Even with these developments, problems like biocompatibility and late stent thrombosis still exist. This study emphasizes the necessity for novel materials and customized strategies to further improve the effectiveness and safety of DES.