PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Heublein, B
AU  - Rohde, R
AU  - Kaese, V
AU  - Niemeyer, M
AU  - Hartung, W
AU  - Haverich, A
TI  - Biocorrosion of magnesium alloys: a new principle in cardiovascular implant technology?
AID  - 10.1136/heart.89.6.651
DP  - 2003 Jun 01
TA  - Heart
PG  - 651--656
VI  - 89
IP  - 6
4099  - http://heart.bmj.com/content/89/6/651.short
4100  - http://heart.bmj.com/content/89/6/651.full
SO  - Heart2003 Jun 01; 89
AB  - Objectives: To develop and test a new concept of the degradation kinetics of newly developed coronary stents consisting of magnesium alloys.Methods: Design of a coronary stent prototype consisting of the non-commercial magnesium based alloy AE21 (containing 2% aluminium and 1% rare earths) with an expected 50% loss of mass within six months. Eleven domestic pigs underwent coronary implantation of 20 stents (overstretch injury).Results: No stent caused major problems during implantation or showed signs of initial breakage in the histological evaluation. There were no thromboembolic events. Quantitative angiography at follow up showed a significant (p < 0.01) 40% loss of perfused lumen diameter between days 10 and 35, corresponding to neointima formation seen on histological analysis, and a 25% re-enlargement (p < 0.05) between days 35 and 56 caused by vascular remodelling (based on intravascular ultrasound) resulting from the loss of mechanical integrity of the stent. Inflammation (p < 0.001) and neointimal plaque area (p < 0.05) depended significantly on injury score. Planimetric degradation correlated with time (r = 0.67, p < 0.01).Conclusion: Vascular implants consisting of magnesium alloy degradable by biocorrosion seem to be a realistic alternative to permanent implants.