Abbott has presented positive six-month results from the first 45 patients enrolled in the second stage of the Absorb trial, which was presented at the EuroPCR 2010 conference. In the study, Abbott's bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) demonstrated strong results, with a low (4.4%) rate of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and no blood clots (thromboses).
Abbott’s BVS, which is under clinical investigation in Europe, Australia and New Zealand and is not currently available for sale anywhere in the world, is made of polylactide, a proven biocompatible material that is used in medical implants such as dissolving sutures. It also demonstrated an in-stent late loss rate of 0.19 mm.
Abbott said that the bioresorbable technology is designed to restore blood flow by opening a clogged vessel and providing support until it is healed. Once the vessel can remain open without the extra support, the bioresorbable scaffold is designed to be slowly metabolised and eventually resorbed by the body.
Since a permanent implant is not left behind, a vessel treated with a BVS may have the ability to move, flex and pulsate similar to an untreated vessel.
Abbott claimed that the potential to restore the naturally occurring vessel functions, or vascular restoration, is one of the features that will make Abbott’s BVS unique in the treatment of coronary artery disease.
Charles Simonton, divisional vice president of medical affairs, and chief medical officer of Abbott Vascular, said: “In addition to achieving low late loss, Abbott’s bioresorbable scaffold demonstrated positive clinical outcomes, with no thrombosis and a low rate of adverse events at six months.
“These results are encouraging and add to the strong body of BVS data that has been gathered over the last several years. The Absorb trial is a perfect example of Abbott’s dedication to developing technology that has the potential to revolutionise the way physicians treat coronary artery disease.”
Patrick Serruys, professor of interventional cardiology at the Thoraxcentre, Erasmus University Hospital and principal investigator for the ABSORB trial, said: “With each new data milestone, Abbott’s revolutionary BVS technology is one step closer to becoming a reality. The device achieved a six-month late loss rate of 0.19 mm.
“This finding suggests that the BVS may have the potential to treat a blocked vessel as effectively as a metallic drug eluting stent, with the added potential benefit of not leaving a permanent implant behind after the vessel is healed. These extraordinary findings signal that Abbott’s disappearing scaffold may become the new standard of care for treating coronary artery disease.”