Development of biodegradable scaffold using polylactic acid and polycaprolactone for cardiovascular application

The limitations of newly synthesized biodegradable stents are low mechanical strength, fracture stiffness, and fast degradability of the polymers. A cylindrical polymeric scaffold was proposed in combination of polylactic acid and polycaprolactone. The tensile strength of the blend was increased twice, though elongation has reduced threefold. The blend illustrated no chemical interaction between polymers. The scaffold was coated with docetaxel, and sustained release profile was observed for 56 days. The degradation of the scaffold was evaluated through change in mechanical properties, weight variation, and morphological studies. The developed hemocompatible polymeric scaffold may be used as for the cardiovascular application.