Bioabsorbable stents were developed to provide temporary vessel scaffolding and drug delivery, then gradually dissolve, leaving behind a more natural artery without permanent metallic implants. The Bioabsorbable Stents session examines the science, clinical experience, and evolving role of these devices in coronary intervention. Participants will review polymer chemistry, degradation profiles, and mechanical properties that distinguish bioabsorbable platforms from conventional metallic stents. The session explores both early enthusiasm and the lessons learned from real-world outcomes, helping clinicians interpret data with nuance and apply devices selectively where they make the most sense.

Interventionalists searching for a cardiology conference want clarity on patient selection, lesion subsets, and procedural techniques unique to these platforms. This session discusses sizing requirements, lesion preparation, and deployment strategies that are critical to success with bioresorbable scaffolds. Attendees will learn how suboptimal expansion, malapposition, or incomplete lesion preparation contributed to earlier complications, and how contemporary imaging-guided approaches can mitigate these risks. Case-based learning will highlight scenarios where bioabsorbable technology remains promising, such as younger patients, specific lesion patterns, or future grafting considerations, while also acknowledging current limitations.

A major focus is understanding bioresorbable scaffold technology within the broader context of stent evolution. Participants will compare clinical outcomes of bioabsorbable platforms with modern drug-eluting metallic stents, looking at late lumen loss, target lesion revascularization, scaffold thrombosis, and long-term vessel behavior. The session also explores next-generation designs, thinner struts, improved polymers, and hybrid concepts that aim to preserve the conceptual advantages of resorbable support while addressing prior safety concerns. Discussion will include regulatory perspectives and future trial designs that may redefine the role of these devices.

Beyond technical and outcome data, the session addresses practical issues: informed consent language, patient expectations, follow-up imaging, and dual antiplatelet therapy considerations. Attendees will gain tools to communicate transparently about benefits, uncertainties, and alternative options. By the end, interventional teams will have a balanced, evidence-based view of bioabsorbable stents, ready to incorporate emerging platforms responsibly as the field continues to evolve.