B Braun Melsungen AG, Germany, one of the medical devices manufacturing majors, has launched the next generation 'drug eluting stent' (DES) - Coroflex Please - in India. The Coroflex Please is designed to overcome current procedural limitations of the first generation DES.

"Coroflex Please is a new generation stent, which is designed to improve safety and efficacy compared to earlier generation stents. The platform is Coroflex which is a benchmark in terms of its flexibility and crossing profile, eluted with an effective anti-proliferative drug 'Paclitaxel' and an innovative coating technology. In particular in the diabetic segment, Paclitaxel seems to have an edge over the other drugs, however, more clinical studies are conducted to validate the same", said Dr Michael Boxberger - director of Clinical Sciences, B Braun Medical Melsungen AG.

Coroflex Please drug eluting stent is used to treat coronary artery disease by helping open a narrowed or blocked artery and releasing the drug, paclitaxel, in a controlled manner to prevent the artery from blocking again following a stent procedure. Coronary artery disease occurs when plaque build-up narrows the arteries and reduces blood flow to the heart, which can lead to chest pain or a heart attack.

Existing data suggest that angioplasty and stenting, particularly drug eluting stents are considered to be most preferred in coronary artery heart disease and specially diabetic. This procedure can be of great advantage for the patients who are reluctant to undergo surgery or unfit for surgery. Interventional cardiology remains a safe and treatment of choice in selected patients amongst this group.