Symptoms such as chest tightness, easy fatigue, chest discomfort or pain when climbing stairs or exerting effort may be warning signs of “Coronary Artery Disease” that many people overlook.
Currently, the treatment of coronary artery disease is no longer limited to traditional metal stents because medical technology has advanced to “Bioresorbable Stents,” which is another treatment option for coronary artery stenosis in some patients.
This technology is designed to help open blocked coronary arteries and gradually dissolve over time after the blood vessels recover. It has gained increasing attention in the cardiology field worldwide, especially among younger patients or those seeking treatment options that reduce permanent materials in the body.
What is a Bioresorbable Stent?
A bioresorbable stent, or Bioresorbable Stent / Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffold (BVS), is a device used to treat coronary artery stenosis, similar to conventional heart stents. Doctors perform the procedure through cardiac catheterization or Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) to expand narrowed or blocked coronary arteries.
The key difference is that after the stent supports the blood vessel and releases medication to reduce restenosis initially, the stent gradually dissolves naturally within the body over several months to years, depending on the type of material used.
The concept of this technology is to help the blood vessels regain more natural function after the necessary treatment period, without leaving a permanent metal scaffold inside the vessel like traditional metal stents.
What is Coronary Artery Disease?
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) occurs due to the accumulation of fat, calcium, or plaque inside the blood vessel walls, reducing blood flow to the heart muscle. As the arteries narrow further, symptoms may include:
- Chest tightness
- Chest pain during exertion
- Unusual easy fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Pain radiating to the arm, neck, or jaw
- In some cases, acute myocardial ischemia or heart attack may occur
Major risk factors include:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High blood cholesterol
- Smoking
- Stress
- Insufficient rest
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Family history of heart disease
Currently, coronary artery disease is increasingly found in younger people, especially working-age individuals with high stress, insufficient rest, and lifestyle habits that affect heart health.
How Does a Bioresorbable Stent Work?
The working principles of a bioresorbable stent are:
- Helps expand the narrowed coronary artery
- Supports the vessel wall initially
- Releases medication to reduce the chance of restenosis
- Gradually dissolves as the vessel recovers
In the long term, bioresorbable stents may help blood vessels regain more natural elasticity and responsiveness compared to permanent metal scaffolds. However, the choice of stent type requires evaluation by a cardiology specialist along with the patient’s vessel characteristics.
How Does a Bioresorbable Stent Differ from a Conventional Heart Stent?
| Category | Conventional Metal Stent (DES) | Bioresorbable Stent (BVS) |
| Material | Metal | Biodegradable material, Magnesium Stent |
| Presence in the body | Permanent | Gradually dissolves within 1 year |
| Vessel support | Permanent | Temporary |
| Treatment concept | Long-term vessel opening | Vessel opening and restoration to near-natural state |
| Usage | Widely used | Suitable for certain patients |
Although bioresorbable stents are an interesting technology, they are not suitable for every patient. The appropriate treatment approach must consider many factors such as vessel location, stenosis characteristics, age, comorbidities, and patient risk.
Who is Suitable for a Bioresorbable Stent?
Patients who may be considered include:
- Younger patients who want to preserve vessels for future treatments
- Patients with coronary artery stenosis
- Those with suitable vessel locations
- Those who want to reduce permanent materials in the body
- Patients with an active lifestyle
- Patients evaluated and deemed suitable by a cardiology specialist
However, not all cases of coronary artery disease can use this type of stent. Detailed diagnosis is necessary to plan appropriate treatment for each patient, such as:
- CT Coronary Artery / CT Coronary Angiography
- Coronary Angiogram
- Intravascular Imaging
- Functional Assessment of coronary artery function
Advantages of Bioresorbable Stents
- No permanent metal scaffold remains in the vessel, preserving vessel condition
- Safe for the body
- Treatment concept closer to natural vessel function
- Reduced chance of vessel restenosis
- May help vessels regain better movement or dilation in the long term
- Another option in modern heart disease treatment technology
However, this technology still requires appropriate patient selection and continuous follow-up care under specialist supervision.
How to Care for Yourself After Receiving a Bioresorbable Stent?
Even with advanced technology treatment, long-term heart health care remains important because heart disease treatment does not end with stent placement but includes lifestyle adjustments and long-term heart health management, such as:
- Taking medications as prescribed regularly
- Controlling diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol
- Quitting smoking
- Exercising appropriately
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Getting enough rest
- Reducing stress
- Monitoring symptoms and attending follow-up appointments
FAQ Related to Bioresorbable Stents (Bioresorbable Stent)
Q: Is it true that a bioresorbable stent “completely dissolves”?
A: Yes, but it does not disappear immediately after the procedure. The stent supports the vessel initially and then gradually dissolves naturally over several months to years, depending on the material type and individual body response.
Q: Do I still need to take medication after receiving a bioresorbable stent?
A: Most patients still need to take medications as prescribed by their doctor, especially blood clot prevention drugs after the procedure.
Do not stop medication on your own as it may increase the risk of complications.
Q: Is the belief “Young people are unlikely to have coronary artery disease” true?
A: Not always true. Nowadays, more young people are diagnosed with heart disease, especially working-age individuals with high stress, lack of sleep, smoking habits, lack of exercise, or underlying conditions such as diabetes and high cholesterol.
Q: Can I live a normal life after receiving a bioresorbable stent?
A: Many patients can return to daily life, work, or exercise as advised by their doctor.
However, long-term health care is important, such as controlling cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, quitting smoking, and adjusting lifestyle habits.
New Era of Heart Disease Technology with Personalized Treatment
Currently, there are many treatment options for coronary artery disease, including medication, cardiac catheterization, various types of stents, and advanced diagnostic imaging and specialized procedures.
Choosing the appropriate treatment method should involve evaluation by a cardiology specialist team to plan according to the patient’s vessel condition, lifestyle, and health goals.
At Phyathai 2 Hospital, patients can receive evaluation and treatment planning for heart disease with a specialized medical team and heart technology tailored to each patient to ensure comprehensive and continuous heart care.
