ReviewPost screenTowards the development of an in vitro model of atherosclerotic peripheral vessels for evaluating drug-coated endovascular technologies

- Review of in vitro models used to evaluate drug coated endovascular technologies.
- Assessed in the context of representing atherosclerotic peripheral vessels.
- Compared to ex vivo data on drug uptake and mechanics of arterial tissue.
- No studies characterise the drug uptake properties of diseased peripheral vessels.
- Ex vivo derived mechanical data are not incorporated into current in vitro models.

Here, we review the in vitro models used to evaluate drug-coated endovascular technologies. The models are assessed in the context of representing the drug transport/uptake and mechanical properties of atherosclerotic peripheral vessels. Studies to date have incorporated a vessel-simulating hydrogel compartment to examine drug elution from endovascular devices. However, comparisons between in vitro models and atherosclerotic tissue are difficult because ex vivo data are limited in their applicability to diseased peripheral vessels. Furthermore, appropriate ex vivo mechanical properties are not incorporated into these models. Therefore, there is a need to characterise the drug transport/uptake properties of appropriate atherosclerotic tissue and incorporate existing ex vivo mechanical data into current in vitro models to more accurately represent drug behaviour in atherosclerotic peripheral vessels.