Stop adding metal layers: Will bioabsorbable scaffolds become the gold standard for late in-stent restenosis and neo-atherosclerosis?

The optimal management of instent restenosis has yet to be fully clarified. Drug eluting balloons are a popular strategy, but a new stent is preferred when dilatation gives a suboptimal result because of insufficient extrusion of neointimal tissue. There is concern for adding multiple permanent metallic layers to the vessel wall, especially in small vessels. The use of bioabsorbable vascular scaffolds appears an appealing alternative strategy, since it scaffolds the neointimal tissue without further adding metal struts to the vessel wall. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.