RT Journal
A1 Denardo SJ, Carpinone PL, Vock DM, Batich CD, Pepine CJ
T1 CHanges to polymer surface of drug-eluting stents during balloon expansion
JF JAMA
JO JAMA
YR 2012
FD May 23
VO 307
IS 20
SP 2148
OP 2150
DO 10.1001/jama.2012.4111
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.2012.4111
AB 
To the Editor: Drug-eluting stents (DES) have advanced percutaneous treatment of coronary artery disease by reducing restenosis. However, DES have not eliminated restenosis, can serve as a nidus for thrombosis, and are associated with microvascular and endothelial dysfunction.1- 2 We hypothesized that the polymer surface of DES may be damaged during delivery balloon expansion and that microparticles may detach, which could contribute to these limitations.