Antithrombotic stent coatings: hirudin/iloprost combination.

Neointimal formation after stent implantation can cause luminal narrowing, called restenosis. Restenosis is induced by initial platelet adhesion and thrombus formation followed by immunocyte adhesion on the stent surface and on the injured vessel wall. The thrombus releases factors, which activates the proliferation of smooth muscle cells. Stents, coated with an antithrombotic surface, may prevent platelet adhesion and subsequent smooth muscle cell proliferation. This paper will review stent coating with poly-LD-lactic acid, a biodegradable polymer containing Iloprost, a synthetic prostacycline, and PEG-Hirudin as a method for reducing of restenosis.