Patients who clinically require or would benefit from stenting can now participate in the registry study for a new generation stent that is polymer-free at Raffles Hospital. Participants will not be charged for the stents used during the procedure. Administrative and procedure fees would still be applicable.

Stenting is a procedure used in the treatment of coronary artery blockage. “Drugs are coated onto stents in an attempt to reduce excessive scarring caused by the placement of the stent. In the stents currently available in the market, a layer of polymer acts like a ‘glue’ to hold the drugs onto the stent. Over the past decade, it is found that this layer of polymer may increase risks of inflammation and this can cause problems in and around the stent,” explains Dr Alvin Ng Chee Keong, Specialist in Cardiology at Raffles Hospital.

The Optima stent is a new generation stent which uses patented technology that contains the drugs in wells distributed throughout the stent structure. Polymer is therefore not required. The stent is approved by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and has received the CE Mark. It is not an experimental device.

“A registry study follows patients after the treatment and reviews their outcomes based on normal clinical care. It is not an experimental study and patients will receive the usual standard of care. Raffles Hospital’s participation means that the stents will be offered free to our patients who will thereby have access to this new technology in the private healthcare setting,” says Dr Ng.

Raffles Hospital is the only private organisation in Singapore who is taking part in this registry study.