• World's First Drug Eluting Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffold has Potential to Revolutionize Treatment of Coronary Artery Disease
• Absorb Now Available in More Than 30 Countries Across Europe and Parts of Asia Pacific and Latin America
• Clinical Data and Initial Commercial Experience Reinforce Broad Clinical Benefit of Absorb

Abbott Park, Illinois — Abbott announced today that Absorb™, the world's first drug eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS), is now widely available across Europe and parts of Asia Pacific and Latin America. Absorb is a first-of-its-kind device for the treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD). It works by restoring blood flow to the heart similar to a metallic stent, but then dissolves into the body, leaving behind a treated vessel that may resume more natural function and movement because it is free of a permanent metallic stent. Absorb is made of polylactide, a naturally dissolvable material that is commonly used in medical implants such as dissolving sutures.

The potential long-term benefits of a scaffold that dissolves are significant. The vessel may expand and contract as needed to increase the flow of blood to the heart in response to normal activities such as exercising; treatment and diagnostic options are broadened; the need for long-term treatment with anti-clotting medications may be reduced; and future interventions would be unobstructed by a permanent implant.

"This innovation represents a true paradigm shift in how we treat coronary artery disease. With the launch of Absorb, a scaffold that disappears after doing its job is no longer a dream, but a reality," said Patrick W. Serruys, M.D., Ph.D., professor of interventional cardiology at the Thoraxcentre, Erasmus University Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. "Patients are excited about Absorb since it may allow blood vessels to return to a more natural state and expand long-term diagnostic and treatment options."

The international launch of Absorb is supported by a robust clinical trial program that encompasses five studies in more than 20 countries around the world. Study data indicate that Absorb performs similar to a best-in-class drug eluting stent across traditional measures such as major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and target lesion revascularization (TLR), while providing patients with the added benefits associated with a device that dissolves over time. As the Absorb scaffold dissolves, vascular function is potentially restored to the blood vessel, allowing more blood to flow through the vessel as the body requires.

"Absorb is a leading example of Abbott's dedication to advancing patient outcomes through innovative technology. Abbott has remained committed to meeting the growing physician and patient demand for a bioresorbable vascular scaffold – from the initial device developed nearly 10 years ago to the expansion of our manufacturing capabilities to support this international launch," said John M. Capek, executive vice president, Medical Devices, Abbott. "We are proud to be the first company to commercialize a drug eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffold, which has the potential to revolutionize the way physicians treat their patients with coronary artery disease."

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women around the world, and CAD is the most common type of heart disease. CAD occurs when arteries that supply blood to the heart become narrowed or blocked, leading to chest pain or shortness of breath and increased risk of heart attack.

Source: Abbott