The future of stenting

The era of intracoronary stenting has arrived, with two proven clinical applications: as bail-out for failed angioplasty, and for long-term effects on decreasing restenosis. Stent restenosis occurs because of neointimal hyperplasia, since the stent effectively deals with remodelling. Stents of the current generation exhibit only mechanical effects, and lack biologic activity to inhibit neointimal thickness. The future of stenting centres on improved mechanical and delivery features, as well as developing biological activity. In the future the stent will come to fully realize its full potential, with potent mechanical and biological properties.