Preclinical evaluation of a thin-strut bioresorbable scaffold (ArterioSorb): acute-phase invasive imaging assessment and hemodynamic implication.

Aims:The aim of this study was to assess the acute performance of the 95 µm ArterioSorb oriented poly L-lactic acid (PLLA) scaffold in comparison with the XIENCE metallic drug-eluting stent (DES) in porcine coronary arteries. Methods and results:In 15 non-atherosclerotic Yucatan mini pigs, the ArterioSorb (3.0/14 mm) and XIENCE (3.0/15 mm) were implanted in 25 and 15 vessels, respectively.Acute performance was evaluated by using quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT).Following three-dimensional reconstruction of the coronary arteries, endothelial shear stress (ESS) was quantified using non-Newtonian steady-flow simulation.Acute recoil measured by QCA was comparable in the two arms.Post-procedural flow and scaffold/stent area by OCT did not differ between the two devices.ESS post procedure was comparable between ArterioSorb and XIENCE (2.21±1.97vs 2.25±1.71Pa, p=0.314).Conclusions: Acute recoil, luminal dimensions and ESS in the ArterioSorb oriented PLLA scaffold with thin struts of 95 µm were comparable to those in the XIENCE metallic DES.