Figure 0002: Internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis. Preintervention image (A) shows a short segment stenosis (arrow) in the proximal ICA. Post-stenting image (B) shows good flow through the diseased segment

Mentions: Covered stents represent a separate class of stents and have a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) covering. These devices are predominantly used in applications such as the treatment of aneurysms, pseudoaneurysms, traumatic arterial perforations and arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs). Their role in cases of complete occlusion is being evaluated. Drug-eluting stents are the latest in stent technology aimed at overcoming the problems of in-stent restenosis. The ones that are commonly used are coated with paclitaxel and sirolimus. Although their efficacy in the coronary arteries has been proven,[23] their role in the peripheral arteries has not shown promise. Biodegradable stents were developed first by Stack et al. at Duke University.[4] They retain their radial strength for 1 month and are almost completely degraded by 9 months. Tamai et al.[5] first reported on the immediate and 6 months' results after the implantation of a biodegradable poly-L-lactide (PLLA) stent in humans. This type of biodegradable stent is not associated with intimal hyperplasia as in stainless steel stents.