The study suggested that apparently healthy schoolchildren with grade ≤2 cardiac murmurs are least likely to have underlying SHD, especially in those aged ≥10 years. However, echocardiography should be performed in younger schoolchildren with cardiac murmur grade ≥3.

Using poly-L-lactic acid for implantable biodegradable scaffold has potential biocompatibility issue due to its acidic degradation byproducts. We have previously reported that the addition of amorphous calcium phosphate improved poly-L-lactic acid coating biocompatibility. In the present study, poly-L-lactic acid and poly-L-lactic acid/amorphous calcium phosphate scaffolds were implanted in pig coronary arteries for 28 days. At the follow-up angiographic evaluation, no case of stent thrombosis was observed, and the arteries that were stented with the copolymer scaffold had significantly less inflammation and nuclear factor-κB expression and a greater degree of reendothelialization. The serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and nitric oxide, as well the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1, were also significantly higher. In conclusion, the addition of amorphous calcium phosphate to biodegradable poly-L-lactic acid scaffold minimizes the inflammatory response, promotes the growth of endothelial cells, and accelerates the reendothelialization of the stented coronary arteries.

At six-month post-implantation, the PowerStent Absorb stents maintained their structural strength and functional performance. The development of restenosis was controlled, no stent thrombosis was observed and the stents were fully re-endothelialized. These results suggest the PowerStent Absorb stent is safe and effective for up to 6 months when implanted in porcine coronary arteries.