Optical coherence tomography characterization of degradation kinetics between second‐ and third‐generation resorbable magnesium scaffold

Aims This preclinical study aimed to establish optical coherence tomography (OCT)‐derived parameters that could be used in the clinical setting for assessing strut degradation in the third‐generation drug‐eluting resorbable magnesium scaffold (DREAMS‐3G), and characterize the comparative degradation profile against its precursor device (Magmaris TM scaffold). Methods and Results Twelve DREAMS‐3G and 10 Magmaris TM scaffolds were implanted in juvenile pigs, and OCT images obtained at baseline and follow‐up (6 or 12 months). Strut degradation was assessed by planimetric analysis and compared with OCT‐derived indices to validate their diagnostic accuracy. A total of 3327 struts of DREAMS‐3G and 2995 struts of the Magmaris TM scaffold were delineated by OCT. DREAMS‐3G exhibited a significantly higher number of visible struts per analyzed frame at 6 months than the Magmaris TM scaffold, in the absence of significant differences at 12 months. Attenuation index (AtI) analysis indicated DREAMS‐3G degradation was less advanced at 6 months but more advanced at 12 months compared to the Magmaris TM scaffold. These OCT‐derived indices significantly correlated with the results of the planimetric analysis. Conclusion The current preclinical study validated OCT indices that may serve as clinical surrogate markers for scaffold degradation. AtI analysis indicated that DREAMS‐3G showed less degradation at 6 months but more advanced degradation at 12 months compared to the Magmaris TM scaffold, which corroborates the findings from planimetric analysis.