bioresorbable vascular scaffold
Temporary coronary stent that provides mechanical support then gradually dissolves, theoretically restoring natural vessel function.
Full Definition
A bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) is a temporary coronary implant designed to provide mechanical vessel support during the acute healing phase following percutaneous coronary intervention, then gradually resorb over 2-3 years to restore natural vessel physiology. These devices, typically composed of polylactic acid polymers, aim to eliminate the long-term limitations of permanent metallic stents such as late stent thrombosis and interference with future revascularization strategies. However, clinical trials have demonstrated increased rates of scaffold thrombosis and target lesion failure compared to current-generation drug-eluting stents, leading to restricted clinical use and continued investigation of next-generation designs.
Usage
Usage note: Specify manufacturer and generation when discussing clinical outcomes, as performance varies significantly between devices.
In Context
- "The bioresorbable vascular scaffold was deployed in the proximal left anterior descending artery with excellent angiographic result." — Interventional cardiology procedure report
- "Long-term follow-up studies of bioresorbable vascular scaffolds have shown mixed clinical outcomes compared to traditional drug-eluting stents." — Medical literature review