ABSTRACT
The first Med-X stent was developed with the idea of decreasing restenosis by addressing two factors: decreasing arterial wall injury and shear stress around the stent. The low quantity of metal, thin struts and favourable surface properties should reduce the activation of platelets and coagulation factors and result in less thrombus formation and thus reduce neointimal proliferation. These characteristics are even more important in vessels of smaller diameter. In addition, the manufacturing process (thermic treatment) of the Med-X stent allows for the avoidance of high pressure inflation. Lower pressure limits the stress around the vessel wall and potentially reduces neointimal proliferation. These features also result in a stent which has very good conformability ansd safe crimping capacity. This concept of a low injury stent needs, however, to be demonstrated in a large series of patients. With its second generation device, Med-Xcor wanted to maintain the benefits of the first generation device, yet improve upon the flexibility in order to meet the requirements of users who want a stent with excellent deliverability. This deliverability is a combination of three parameters: flexibility, profile and trackability. The new design of the Med-X stent with one articulation and an increased number of cells provides a compromise between excellent flexibility and good radial support. It can be used in more distal and tortuous lesions. Now the MedX Flexy stents are available with golden markers on the stent to help precise and safe positioning in case of ostial or lesion in bifurcations.
