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Clinical device‐related article surface characterization of explanted endovascular stents: Evidence of in vivo corrosion
Author(s) -
Halwani Dina O.,
Anderson Peter G.,
Brott Brigitta C.,
Anayiotos Andreas S.,
Lemons Jack E.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of biomedical materials research part b: applied biomaterials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.665
H-Index - 108
eISSN - 1552-4981
pISSN - 1552-4973
DOI - 10.1002/jbm.b.31698
Subject(s) - materials science , corrosion , stent , restenosis , biomedical engineering , in vivo , delamination (geology) , metal , metallurgy , medicine , surgery , paleontology , tectonics , microbiology and biotechnology , subduction , biology
Limited information exists regarding the in vivo stability of endovascular stents. Nine excised human vascular segments with implanted stents ( n = 16) manufactured from stainless steel, nickel‐titanium, tantalum, and cobalt‐based alloys were analyzed. The stent/tissue components were separated using an established tissue dissolution protocol and control and explanted stents were evaluated by digital optical and electron microscopy. Metallic content in surrounding tissues was measured by mass spectroscopy. Surface alterations, consistent with corrosion mediated by electrochemical and mechanical factors, were observed in 9 of the 16 explanted stents and were absent from control stents. Tissue dissolved from around corroded stents corresponded with a higher metallic content. The effect of these changes in the microtopography of stents on their mechanical properties (fatigue strength and fracture limit) in addition to the potential for released metallic debris contributing to the biological mechanisms of in‐stent restenosis supports the need for further investigations. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2010.