Bioabsorbable stenting for peripheral arterial occlusive disease.

Bioabsorbable stents offer an unproven but theoretically appealing means to address the deficiencies of current stent designs. Ideally, these stents would provide early postprocedural scaffolding support yet undergo a predictable process of reabsorption, thus removing the persistent stimulus for neointimal hyperplasia. Prototypes include polymeric formulations and magnesium-based absorbable metal stents. Current and future human trials will ascertain if bioabsorbable stents truly deliver a physiologic advantage in the treatment of peripheral occlusive disease.