Everolimus-eluting stents in interventional cardiology

Jacob C Townsend, Phillip Rideout, Daniel H SteinbergDivision of Cardiology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USAAbstract: Bare metal stents have a proven safety record, but limited long-term efficacy due to in-stent restenosis. First-generation drug-eluting stents successfully countered the restenosis rate, but were hampered by concerns about their long-term safety. Second generation drug-eluting stents have combined the low restenosis rate of the first generation with improved long-term safety. We review the evolution of drug-eluting stents with a focus on the safety, efficacy, and unique characteristics of everolimus-eluting stents.Keywords: everolimus-eluting stents, safety, efficacy