Background

Following the placement of a coronary stent to treat heart disease, recurrent disease (coronary restenosis) often occurs. Restenosis causes the blood vessels to re-narrow, leading to restricted blood flow after the patient has already received treatment to clear the blockage. Wound healing technology developed at the University of Sussex reduces the likelihood of this occurring by enhancing the regrowth of the cells that line the coronary artery, called endothelial cells.

Some wounds do not heal fully. The technology also enhances the growth of skin cells, called fibroblasts, and has the potential to enhance the rate of wound healing.