Everolimus-eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS) represent a novel treatment option for coronary artery disease (CAD). Initial and recent clinical results have been promising, although late lumen loss seems to be somewhat higher with BVS compared to everolimus-eluting cobalt chromium stents.1,2 In stable patients free of complex coronary lesions, clinical events reported for BVS at six and 12 months resemble those seen with modern drug-eluting stents (DES).3,4 Thus, while the short-term efficacy and safety of BVS seem to be comparable with modern DES, they may ultimately prove safer. More physiologic vessel healing may translate into decreased rates of late complications such as neoatherosclerosis, late acquired malapposition or very late stent thrombosis due to uncovered stent struts. Undoubtedly, BVS have different handling and mechanical properties than current DES. Advanced intravascular imaging modalities such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) can provide important insights into the specific properties of BVS, and thus facilitate their use. The use of OCT pre- and post-implantation of BVS as well as in long-term follow-up will be reviewed in this paper.
Daniel Dalos - AKH – Medical University of Vienna, Department of Cardiology, Vienna, Austria
Georg Delle Karth - AKH – Medical University of Vienna, Department of Cardiology, Vienna, Austri
The publication of this information was supported by St Jude Medical.
