This article compares two approaches side by side to clarify how they differ in principle and practice. The specific combination of wires, balloons, atherectomy, and stents is determined by the interventional cardiologist based on lesion complexity, calcification, and overall clinical picture. As a medical device manufacturer, INVAMED develops technologies in this area; the information here is educational and not medical advice.
Background: Coronary Artery Disease and Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Contemporary practice relies heavily on drug-eluting stents, which release an antiproliferative agent to limit the tissue overgrowth that can cause restenosis. During PCI a lesion is usually crossed with a guidewire, prepared with a balloon, and in most cases scaffolded with a stent that holds the vessel open. The specific combination of wires, balloons, atherectomy, and stents is determined by the interventional cardiologist based on lesion complexity, calcification, and overall clinical picture.
PCI (stenting) vs Bypass surgery (CABG): Key Differences
Percutaneous coronary intervention treats a lesion from inside the artery with a catheter, while coronary artery bypass grafting surgically routes blood around blockages. PCI is less invasive with a shorter recovery, but bypass surgery may be favored for certain patterns of multivessel or left-main disease. Contemporary decision-making frequently uses a heart-team discussion and anatomic complexity scoring to weigh the two. The appropriate strategy is determined by the clinical team rather than by any single device feature.
How INVAMED Supports Both Approaches
INVAMED groups its coronary portfolio around the sequence of a PCI case, offering access, lesion preparation, drug delivery, scaffolding, and closure devices. The ATLAS DES is specified on a cobalt-chromium L605 platform with 60 micrometer struts and defined nominal and rated burst pressures documented in the product literature. INVAMED positions a broad single-source coronary portfolio spanning the ATLAS drug-eluting and Atlas bare-metal stents, the Extender paclitaxel PTCA balloon, Inwire guidewires, the TemREN Rotablator, and the AngioTEN closure system.
Key Considerations
- Thin-strut cobalt-chromium platforms are intended to balance deliverability with radial support in a range of vessel sizes.
- Guide extension catheters can provide the backup support needed to deliver devices in tortuous or distal anatomy.
- All INVAMED coronary devices are intended for use by trained interventional cardiologists under fluoroscopic guidance and per the IFU.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the reported restenosis performance of the ATLAS DES?
INVAMED reports clinical data showing target lesion revascularization rates below 5% at 12 months; this reflects studied performance and is not an individual guarantee.
Are these coronary devices CE marked?
Device availability and regulatory status vary by country. Please contact INVAMED or your authorized local distributor for current regulatory information applicable to your region.
What drug does the ATLAS stent release?
According to INVAMED, the ATLAS DES elutes sirolimus at 1 microgram per square millimeter with a sustained controlled-release profile.
About INVAMED
INVAMED operates a dedicated R&D center (INVAcenter) focused on minimally invasive device development. INVAMED states it maintains a growing portfolio of international patents across its device range.
Clinical and Technical Context
Lesion calcification is a central factor in planning, and heavily calcified plaque may call for rotational atherectomy before ballooning or stenting. INVAMED's ATLAS Drug Eluting Coronary Stent System uses a cobalt-chromium L605 platform with 60 micrometer struts and a sirolimus coating dosed at 1 microgram per square millimeter with sustained controlled release. INVAMED's Inwire PTCA Guidewire is offered for coronary wiring within the interventional line, alongside CTO and workhorse options. INVAMED's Extender Drug Eluting PTCA Balloon Catheter carries a paclitaxel coating for this local drug-delivery role. The need for extension support is judged case by case, since it depends on vessel geometry and the devices being delivered. Coronary artery disease develops when atherosclerotic plaque accumulates within the arteries that supply the heart muscle, gradually narrowing the lumen and limiting blood flow. Guide extension catheters can provide the backup support needed to deliver devices in tortuous or distal anatomy. The cobalt-chromium alloy underneath is intended to allow thin struts while preserving radial support, as described in the product documentation.
Important Disclaimer
The information here is provided for educational purposes and to describe device technology; it is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Only a licensed healthcare provider can determine whether a given procedure or device is appropriate for a specific patient. INVAMED products are restricted to use by qualified professionals following the official IFU. Regulatory clearance and labeling differ between regions, and not all products or indications are available in every market.
Reviewed by the INVAMED Medical Affairs team. Content is educational and technical in nature.