Bioresorbable stents ‘could revolutionise heart disease treatment’

The promising performance of bioresorbable stents in studies could indicate that the technology can revolutionise the treatment of heart disease sufferers.

John Capek, executive vice-president of medical devices at healthcare company Abbott, told Bloomberg that the firm's new polylactic acid-based stent design could help to overcome many of the risks associated with traditional metal stents.

The bioresorbable stents are designed to dissolve within two years of implantation, meaning they can keep blood vessels open without a danger of clotting or interference with future procedures.

Mr Capek suggested Abbott's device could be launched in the European commercial market within 18 months.

He added: "It may truly become the next revolution. The data is provocative enough at the moment to demonstrate that has a very real chance of happening."

Abbott currently manufactures a wide range of stents including Xience V, which demonstrated its safety and efficacy in the two-year Compare clinical study earlier this month.