725 - Bioabsorbable Stents for Interventionalists: Evidence, Clinical Applications, Upcoming Advances, and Future Directions

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn the applications of bioabsorbable stents (BAS) and their evidence from clinical trials.

2. Apply knowledge of the strengths and limitations of BAS to optimize patients’ outcomes from BAS interventions

3. Assess the future implications of BAS and its role within the repertoire of tools available to Interventionalists.

Background: Permanent metallic stents are a keystone of vascular and non-vascular interventions. However, they are associated with long-term complications such as re-stenosis, thrombosis, chronic inflammation, and imaging artifacts. Bioabsorbable stents (BAS) are designed to provide temporary mechanical support during vessel or ductal healing, then be resorbed over time, potentially reducing these complications {1}.

Although initially developed, and shown promise for, the treatment of coronary disease (ABSORB and BIOHEART-II trials {2,3}); BAS technology has expanded into peripheral arterial disease (Life-BTK trial {4}), iliac arterial disease (REMEDY stent {5}), and non-vascular biliary/pancreatic {6,7} and renal/urologic interventions {8}.

Clinical Findings/Procedure Details: This exhibit will (1) Review fundamental BAS properties, clinical trials, and promising pilot studies relevant to interventional radiologists; (2) Summarize the clinical indications, unique procedural aspects, and follow-up considerations of BAS. (3) Highlight the imaging benefits of BAS, including decreased artifact and better treatment outcome monitoring {1}. (4) Outline the burgeoning role of BAS for non-vascular interventions. (5) Discuss future directions of BAS and Interventionalists’ role in expanding clinical applications.

Conclusion and/or Teaching Points: Bioabsorbable stents are anticipated to become fundamental tools for Interventionalists. They offer temporary mechanical support while mitigating the long-term complications of permanent implants. Early trials demonstrate safety and efficacy and ongoing non-vascular investigations hold promise for new applications. Interventional radiologists are positioned to be at the forefront of expanding the use of these technologies to improve patient outcomes.