Abstract
Bare metal stents (BMS) have solved the problem of acute or abrupt coronary artery occlusion during percutaneous coronary interventions; however, a more pronounced intimal hyperplasia was documented following their implantation compared to plain balloon angioplasty and restenosis was reported in 20-30 % of patients. Drug-eluting stents (DES) substantially reduced the restenosis rate, but brought about another problem - late and very late stent thrombosis.
Titanium stent which, according to preclinical studies, stimulates the growth of endothelial cells, reduces platelet and fibrinogen adhesion and fibrin deposition and reduces intimal hyperplasia is a possible alternative to both BMS and DES. Compared to the first-generation BMS and DES, the titanium stent carries a lower risk of restenosis, clinical events as well as of acute myocardial infarction and requires only short-term dual antiplatelet therapy.