USE OF NITRIC OXIDE-RELEASING POLYMERS TO TREAT RESTENOSIS AND RELATED DISORDERS

摘要

Methods of amelioration, treatment and prevention for restenosis and related disorders are provided. Methods involve the administration of nitric oxide by a nitric oxide delivery means comprising a restenosis-ameliorating or therapeutically/prophylactically effective amount of a polymer to which is bound a nitric oxide-releasing N2O2<-> functional group or a compound comprising a nitric oxide-releasing N2O2<-> functional group. Also provided are nitric oxide delivery means comprising such nitric oxide-releasing polymers or compounds for use in such methods. Preferably, the delivery means is coated with a nitric oxide-releasing polymer, which may be biodegradable, and enables the controllable and predictable release of NO to a given site in such a manner that effective ameliorating, prophylactic or therapeutic dosing is realized.