  Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of death worldwide.
Treatments have evolved, with stenting becoming the primary approach over
bypass surgery. This article reviews the evolution of coronary stent
technology, starting from the first angioplasty in 1977. Pioneers like
Forssmann, Dotter, and Gruentzig established the foundation. The late 1980s saw
the introduction of bare metal stents (BMS) to address angioplasty limitations.
However, BMS had issues, leading to the development of first-generation
drug-eluting stents (DES) in the early 2000s, which reduced restenosis but had
safety concerns. Subsequent innovations introduced second-generation DES with
better results and the latest bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS) that
dissolve over time. Clinical trials have been crucial in validating each
stent's effectiveness. Despite progress, challenges remain in stent selection,
approval processes, and minimizing risks. The future may see personalized
stenting based on patient needs, highlighting the significant advancements in
stent technology and its impact on patient care.
