Medtronic Stent Approved to Treat Coronary Artery Disease

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TUESDAY, Feb. 21 (HealthDay News) -- Medtronic's Resolute Integrity Drug-Eluting Stent has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for people with coronary artery disease (CAD), the Minneapolis-based company said in a news release.

A stent is a hollow mesh tube used to prop open a narrowed coronary vessel. Medtronic's Resolute Integrity DES is made from a drug-coated polymer material and resembles a flexible spring,

The device performed strongly in clinical studies, including among people with diabetes, a common contributor to CAD, Medtronic said.

CAD is the leading cause of death in the United States, killing almost 500,000 people annually, the company said.

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