Method and apparatus for treating vulnerable artherosclerotic plaque

摘要

Methods and apparatus for treatment of vulnerable plaque provide local delivery of one or more plaque stabilizing agents. Delivery of the plaque stabilizing agents described herein stabilize vulnerable plaques at and downstream of an implantation site can reduce the occurrence of rupture of these plaques. An expandable medical device for delivering a therapeutic agent locally to a vulnerable plaque includes an implantable medical device body configured to be implanted within a coronary artery, and a therapeutic dosage of a therapeutic agent for stabilization of vulnerable plaque. The therapeutic agent is affixed in openings in the implantable medical device body in a manner such that the therapeutic agent is released to the vulnerable plaque at a therapeutic dosage and over an administration period effective to stabilize the vulnerable plaque.