However, in a San Diego Union-Tribune/Associated Press report, health writer Matthew Perrone noted that there were some company studies that showed slightly higher rates of cardiovascular complications with the Absorb device compared to the Xience metal stents, particularly when inserted into smaller arteries. The AP report stated the difference of 1.7 percent was “not deemed statistically significant.”

The AP story also points to two prominent cardiologists – Dr. David Holmes and Dr. Michael Mack – who wrote an editorial in the February Journal of the American College of Cardiology that said the Absorb stent had not shown superior results.


The Tech Times reported federal regulators with the FDA had found heart attack and stent-related blood clots were more likely to occur with use of the Absorb dissolving stent compared to Xience.

Drug coatings were first added to stents in 2003 to help prevent scar tissue buildup from reclogging arteries. But later studies found arteries with stents could still get blood clots, so Abbott and other manufacturers turned to developing dissolving stents.

Absorb is already being sold in at least 100 countries, including in Europe.

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