Purpose of Technology: Drug-eluting stents (DES) are a device/drug combination product consisting of a coronary stent coated in an antiproliferative drug. Stents are placed within an obstructed artery during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to reestablish blood flow in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Biolimus-eluting stents (BES) are a group of biodegradable polymer or polymer-free DES that elute the sirolimus derivative with the trade name Biolimus. Biolimus is slowly released to block cell proliferation, thus preventing fibrosis that could otherwise lead to blockage.

Relevant Questions:

  • Are BES effective in reducing death, myocardial infarction, repeat revascularizations, and improving symptoms in patients with CAD?

  • How do BES compare with alternative stent types such as bare-metal stents (BMS), everolimus-eluting stents (EES), and zotarolimus-eluting stents (ZES) in terms of efficacy and potential harms?

  • Are BES safe for treatment of CAD?

  • Have definitive patient selection criteria been established for the use of BES in patients with CAD?

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