ABSTRACT
The excellent mechanical properties, wide body distribution, and important physiological functions of the biocorrodible metal iron render it a promising candidate as a building block for a biocorrodible metal scaffold. This chapter summarizes the results of preclinical studies on safety, efficacy, and biocompatibility of the iron-based bioresorbable coronary scaffold (IBS). It explores two methods of preparing tissue sections containing iron-based scaffold for histomorphologic and histopathological analysis. The first method involves quickly dissolving the iron-based scaffold in the tissue using a mixture of ethanol, formaldehyde, glacial acetic acid, and nitric acid prior to paraffin-embedded section preparation. The latter process does not damage the vessel wall or neointima and does not impact tissue antigenic properties, allowing subsequent successful conventional paraffin-section and immunohistochemical analysis. Using a chemical solvent to dissolve the iron-based scaffold in the vascular tissue can preserve tissue structure and staining capacity.
