Intravascular stenting: from basic research to clinical application

Although the use of intravascular stents is approaching widespread clinical use, several questions remain regarding their safety and efficacy. Several factors have direct bearing on the immediate and long-term results of intravascular stenting. The technical results of stenting are dependent on the mechanical characteristics of the device and long-term patency is closely related to thrombogenicity and endothelialization. Although stents are used most frequently for the treatment of atherosclerotic disease there is no clear understanding of how they influence the atheromatous lesion.