China successfully developed the first generation of biodegradable stents
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On April 16, 2008, a major breakthrough in cardiovascular medicine was announced at the China Interventional Cardiology Conference. Chinese researchers unveiled the clinical trial results of the country's first biodegradable stent—the EXCEL rapamycin-eluting stent. This development marks a significant milestone in the field of interventional cardiology and has drawn widespread attention from medical professionals across the globe.
The EXCEL stent, developed domestically, is the first biodegradable drug-coated stent in China. It uses biodegradable polylactic acid as its drug delivery layer, which gradually breaks down into water and carbon dioxide within 3 to 6 months after implantation. As a result, the stent transitions from a drug-coated device to a bare metal stent, offering improved biocompatibility and safety. This design helps reduce the risk of restenosis and late thrombosis, two common complications associated with traditional stents.
The study, known as the CREATE trial, involved 59 centers across four countries and enrolled 2,077 patients with coronary artery disease. The research included 12 months of clinical follow-up and angiographic assessments, providing strong evidence for the stent’s effectiveness. According to Professor Yan Yaling, head of the Cardiovascular Research Department at the General Hospital of the Shenyang Military Region, the results demonstrate that the EXCEL stent performs comparably to foreign alternatives while being significantly more affordable.
One of the key advantages of the EXCEL stent is its use of biodegradable coating materials, along with a unique single-sided luminal coating design. This innovation not only ensures high efficacy but also reduces costs by up to half compared to the first generation of similar foreign products. As a result, a larger number of patients can now access this advanced treatment option. Additionally, the shorter duration of antiplatelet therapy required after surgery further lowers the financial burden on patients, making life-saving treatments more accessible.
This achievement highlights China's growing role in medical innovation and its commitment to improving patient care through cost-effective, cutting-edge technology.