Drugeluting

Drugeluting refers to medical devices or materials that release therapeutic agents at a targeted site over a period of time. The local delivery aims to achieve higher drug concentrations where needed while reducing systemic exposure, improving efficacy and minimizing side effects.

The term is most commonly associated with drug-eluting stents used in cardiovascular interventions. These stents are coated with antiproliferative drugs such as sirolimus, everolimus, zotarolimus, or paclitaxel, which help prevent neointimal hyperplasia and restenosis after vessel injury. Drug-eluting balloons are another platform that delivers drug to the vessel wall during angioplasty. Beyond the vascular system, drug-eluting approaches are explored for orthopedic implants, dental implants, catheters, wound dressings, and other implanted devices, using various drugs including antiproliferatives, antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, or growth factors.

Delivery mechanisms typically involve polymer coatings or matrices that control the rate of drug release, though some designs use biodegradable polymers or polymer-free approaches. The choice of drug, coating, and release profile is tailored to the clinical indication and intended duration of therapy.

Historical notes indicate that drug-eluting stents entered clinical use in the early 2000s, with subsequent generations improving safety and efficacy. While they reduce restenosis compared with bare-metal devices, they can carry risks such as delayed healing or late thrombosis, necessitating appropriate antiplatelet therapy and careful patient selection. Research continues into new agents, release technologies, and broader applications to balance benefit and risk across indications.