Below is an educational, technical answer to a question many patients and clinicians ask. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a catheter-based approach that reaches the coronary arteries through a small arterial access point, typically the radial or femoral artery. 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
Coronary artery disease develops when atherosclerotic plaque accumulates within the arteries that supply the heart muscle, gradually narrowing the lumen and limiting blood flow. 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. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a catheter-based approach that reaches the coronary arteries through a small arterial access point, typically the radial or femoral artery.
How long do you take blood thinners after a stent?
Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is commonly prescribed after stenting to reduce the risk of clot forming on the new stent while it heals. The duration is individualized and depends on factors such as the clinical presentation, stent type, and the patient's bleeding risk. Published guidance offers typical ranges, but the exact regimen is set by the treating clinician rather than a fixed rule. Patients should not stop antiplatelet medication on their own, as premature discontinuation can raise the risk of stent thrombosis.
What This Means in Practice
Manufacturer figures such as the reported sub-5% target lesion revascularization rate describe studied performance, not guaranteed outcomes. Guide extension catheters can provide the backup support needed to deliver devices in tortuous or distal anatomy. Thin-strut cobalt-chromium platforms are intended to balance deliverability with radial support in a range of vessel sizes.
Key Considerations
- Manufacturer figures such as the reported sub-5% target lesion revascularization rate describe studied performance, not guaranteed outcomes.
- Dual antiplatelet therapy duration is individualized to the clinical presentation and the patient's bleeding risk.
- Guide extension catheters can provide the backup support needed to deliver devices in tortuous or distal anatomy.
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.
What is the INVAMED drug-eluting stent called?
INVAMED's drug-eluting coronary stent is the ATLAS Drug Eluting Coronary Stent System, built on a cobalt-chromium L605 platform with a sirolimus coating.
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
Device availability and regulatory status vary by country. Please contact INVAMED or your authorized local distributor for current regulatory information applicable to your region.
Clinical and Technical Context
The specific combination of wires, balloons, atherectomy, and stents is determined by the interventional cardiologist based on lesion complexity, calcification, and overall clinical picture. Coronary artery disease develops when atherosclerotic plaque accumulates within the arteries that supply the heart muscle, gradually narrowing the lumen and limiting blood flow. INVAMED's coronary portfolio includes guiding catheters, extension catheters, and microcatheters intended to support crossing and delivery in demanding anatomy. Thin-strut cobalt-chromium platforms are intended to balance deliverability with radial support in a range of vessel sizes. Contemporary practice relies heavily on drug-eluting stents, which release an antiproliferative agent to limit the tissue overgrowth that can cause restenosis. Lesion calcification is a central factor in planning, and heavily calcified plaque may call for rotational atherectomy before ballooning or stenting. Whether a closure device is used, and which type, is determined by access site, sheath size, and clinician preference. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a catheter-based approach that reaches the coronary arteries through a small arterial access point, typically the radial or femoral artery.
Related on INVAMED
- Coronary Artery Disease & Cardiac Interventions — product category
- Cobalt-Chromium and Stainless-Steel Stent Options Explained — A Technical Guide
- How long does a heart stent last?
- Arterial Access Closure: How It Works and Why It Matters
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.