Biocorrosion of magnesium alloys: a new principle in cardiovascular implant technology?

To develop and test a new concept of the degradation kinetics of newly developed coronary stents consisting of magnesium alloys.

Design of a coronary stent prototype consisting of the non-commercial magnesium based alloy AE21 (containing 2% aluminium and 1% rare earths) with an expected 50% loss of mass within six months. Eleven domestic pigs underwent coronary implantation of 20 stents (overstretch injury).

No stent caused major problems during implantation or showed signs of initial breakage in the histological evaluation. There were no thromboembolic events. Quantitative angiography at follow up showed a significant (p