A Biodegradable Stent Based on Poly(L-Lactide) and Poly(4-Hydroxybutyrate) for Peripheral Vascular Application: Preliminary Experience in the Pig

Abstract

Rapid balloon expansion of PLLA/P4HB stents is feasible without risk of strut rupture. PLLA/P4HB stents provide adequate mechanical stability after iliac anastomotic stenting in pigs. Smaller residual luminal areas in the PLLA/P4HB stents might have been caused by tissue ingrowth into the larger strut interspaces due to higher strut thickness (stent area) in this group. This limitation needs to be addressed in future work on the stent design.