Elsewhere, Dr Suhas Lele, a cardiologist from the Vadodara-based Bhailal Amin General Hospital along with experts from Anand Agriculture University (AAU) and the Anand-based Muljibhai Kidney Hospital have successfully released drugs in the thigh, head and neck region through bio-absorbable stents in rabbits. This is the first time such an experiment has been done in India.

Dr Lele said: “There were several phases of the stent technology. Earlier the biocompatible and bio-absorbable stents were not in use. Then came the time when every company started selling stents with both technologies.”

He added that a lot still needs to be explored. He said their tests on 40 rabbits, where they released DES in the thigh and the neck region, were successful. “Basically, we were successful in releasing the drug not only in the heart, but also diseased arteries.”