Coronary artery stents: identification and evaluation
- Department of Pathology, Toronto General Hospital/University Health Network, Toronto Medical Laboratories, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4, Canada
- Correspondence to: Dr J Butany Department of Pathology E4-322, Toronto General Hospital/University Health Network, Toronto Medical Laboratories, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4, Canada; jagdish.butanyuhn.on.ca
- Accepted 14 December 2004
Abstract
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.
- CAD, coronary artery disease
- FDA, Food and Drug Administration
- MSCTA, multislice computed tomography angiography
- PTCA, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty
