Bioresorbable vascular scaffolds in clinical practice: state-of-the-art

Coronary bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS) are a new appealing therapeutic option in interventional cardiology. To date, the Absorb BVS (TM) (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, CA, USA) is the most used and studied device. Its backbone is made of poly-L-lactide and coated by a thin layer of poly-D,L-lactide; everolimus is released and the scaffold is fully degraded to H2O and CO2 in 2-3 years. The BVS technology seems to offer several theoretical advantages over metallic stent implantation. It gives temporary mechanical support to vessel wall, without permanently caging it. Hence, long-term endothelial function may be restored and natural vasomotion in response to external stimuli may be recovered. Finally, an eventual future surgical revascularization is not conditioned. Several observational and randomized trials assessing the performance and clinical outcomes of BVS have been recently published. The main aim of this review is to carry out a systematic analysis and to evaluate long-term efficacy and safety of the Absorb BVS (TM).