Key result
Heparin-conjugated biodegradable copolymer stent coatings exhibited acceptable biodegradability on explanted stents, with thin layers degrading more extensively than thick layers.
Laser Raman spectroscopy demonstrates that heparin-conjugated biodegradable copolymers used as stent coatings exhibit acceptable in vivo biodegradability dependent on coating thickness.
Guides thickness optimization of heparin stent coatings in animal models; leaves open human translation.
Laser Raman spectroscopy is an effective tool for the study of biodegradable polymers, which play a vital role in the new developments in coronary implants such as stents. There is much excitement around the potential capabilities of synthetic biodegradable polymers and the effect they will have on the design and function of implanted devices. In the present investigation, heparin‐conjugated biodegradable copolymers were evaluated for their durability as drug‐eluting stent coatings. Laser Raman spectroscopic studies were carried out and spectra recorded and analyzed of explanted stents coated with different amounts of polymer alone, showing the existence of different levels at different quantities of polymer. The polymer was detected on every stent analyzed. On the stents coated with a thick layer of polymer, a firm layer of polymer still existed on the stent. In contrast, this layer was degraded and spread around on the stents coated with only a thin layer of the polymer. This indicates that the polymers used in the stents in the present investigation exhibit acceptable biodegradability. Such polymers can be used as efficient drug carriers, as these materials show good degradation after the stipulated period.
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Sudheer et al. (2009) studied this question. Heparin-conjugated biodegradable copolymers was evaluated on Polymer degradation and durability. Heparin-conjugated biodegradable copolymer stent coatings exhibited acceptable biodegradability on explanted stents, with thin layers degrading more extensively than thick layers.
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