VEGF COATED STENTS

Stents are metal devices used to repair damaged blood vessels in the brain and prevent stroke. However, bare metal stents can cause blood clotting in blood vessels by activating the coagulation cascade, causing the blood vessel to become blocked again. This dangerous event happens to one in 10 patients undergoing intracranial stenting, and an additional expensive surgery to provide relief. The faster we can merge the stent into the blood vessel, the less likely that thrombosis (blood clotting) will occur. 

Our laboratory conducts research into using biomodified stents coated with two special proteins, VEGF and fibronectin, to attract endothelial progenitor cells that would be present in a bloodstream. The proteins attract the stem cells, encouraging them to bind to the stent and multiply so that the stent fuses with the blood vessel lining. A biocompatible protein-coated stent could provide a promising future for endovascular neurosurgery.