Coronary artery stents: identification and evaluation

• Published in: Journal of Clinical Pathology Vol. 58; no. 8; pp. 795 - 804
• Main Authors: Butany, J, Carmichael, K, Leong, S W, Collins, M J
• Format: Journal Article Book Review
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Association of Clinical Pathologists 01.08.2005; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; Copyright 2005 Journal of Clinical Pathology
• Subjects: Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; Biological and medical sciences; CAD; Clinical outcomes; coronary artery disease; Coronary Restenosis - prevention & control; Coronary Stenosis - therapy; Equipment Design; FDA; FDA approval; Food and Drug Administration; Heart attacks; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Medical sciences; MSCTA; multislice computed tomography angiography; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty; PTCA; restenosis; Review; Stainless steel; Stents; Stents - adverse effects; Evaluation; Anatomic pathology; Identification; Stent; Coronary artery
• ISSN: 0021-9746; 1472-4146
• DOI: 10.1136/jcp.2004.024174

First introduced in the 1980s, the coronary stent has been used to reduce the rate of arterial restenosis. Coronary stent implantation is currently a common procedure performed by interventional cardiologists, and the market for development and design is constantly expanding and evolving. This article was designed to assist pathologists in the accurate identification of coronary stents that are currently available, in addition to some that are no longer being implanted. The stents reviewed here were chosen based on frequency of use and/or occurrence in the literature. Some of the newer models have yet to undergo extensive clinical testing. The summaries accompanying each stent include concise physical descriptions and documented complications, intended to serve as a guide for the investigating pathologist.