Table 3.

Potential advantages and disadvantages of biodegradable-based stents (Bourantas et al. 2013; Kereiakes et al. 2016; Onuma and Serruys 2011; Sharkawi et al. 2007)

Potential advantages
Restoration of cyclic pulsatility and normal vasomotion	Prevented acute occlusion
Prevented acute ST and subacute ST	Restoration of normal vessel curvature
Normalizing shear stress and cyclic strain	Prevented acute recoil
Prevented constrictive remodeling	Prevented expansive remodeling
Reduced risk of very late polymer reactions	Avoidance of stent malapposition
Reduced neoatherosclerosis	Avoidance of late luminal enlargement
Avoidance of late vessel wall inflammation	Prevented neointimal hyperplasia
Prevented late ST	Formation of a cap over lipid-rich plaque
Unjailing of side branches
Disadvantages
Unsuitable release profile for drug delivery system	Difficulty in delivery to the site of action because of thicker struts with larger crossing profile
Greater risk of acute strut fracture as a result of insufficient mechanical strength compared with metallic DES	Inadequate degradation and resorption profile
Increased rates of early thrombosis	Inflammatory degradation residues
Specific (cold) storage condition and specific deployment techniques