Intravascular stents. Status of development and clinical application.

A variety of intravascular stents are currently under investigation and in various stages of achieving governmental approval for clinical application. The Palmaz balloon-expandable stent has recently been approved for use in the iliac arteries based on specific indications for application. Stents are generally described according to their method of deployment and are either balloon-expandable or self-expanding. Clinical application has been proved in the iliac arteries, where the use of stents has greatly enhanced the treatment of patients with total occlusions, complex dissections, and restenoses. Additionally, there is promise that stents will enhance the percutaneous treatment of renal artery ostial lesions, infrainguinal arterial lesions, and strictures in large veins. Clearly, the increasing application of intravascular stents has ushered in a new era of percutaneous intervention.