ABSTRACT
The objective of this experimental study was to assess the effects of a new kind of drug eluting coronary stent. Fourteen mini-pigs were used; seven normal stainless stents and seven new drug eluting stents were implanted in their normal coronary arteries, respectively. Angiography was performed and followed by pressure-fixation of the coronary arteries for light and electron microscopic examinations at the end of three months after implantation. Repeated angiography showed that all the stented coronary segments were open. With no additional antithrombotic treatment, there was no thrombus formed in the stented coronary segments. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed the implanted stent surface was covered by endomembrane without thrombus formation. The endothelial cell in the membrane was clear and lined by the direction of blood flow. Histomorphological analysis revealed the neointima in normal stainless stent group was thicker than that in new drug eluting stent group, and the neointima was composed of smooth muscle cell and extracellular matrix. The result of this study shows that this kind of stent could reduce the rate of the re-stenosis and occlusion of PTCA. This stent can be used in clinical trials.