%0 Journal Article
%@ 0885-3282
%A Silvestri, Davide
%A Cristallini, Caterina
%A Gagliardi, Mariacristina
%A Barbani, Niccoletta
%A D'Acunto, M.
%A Ciardelli, G.
%A Giusti, Paolo
%D 2009
%F eprints:3264
%I Sage
%J Journal of Biomaterials Applications
%N 4
%P 353-383
%T Acrylic Copolymers as Candidates for Drug-Eluting Coating of Vascular Stents
%U http://eprints.imtlucca.it/3264/
%V 24
%X The aim of the present work is the synthesis and characterization of polymer materials showing good adhesion, drug loading, and delivery properties, for potential cardiovascular application. In particular, poly(methylmethacrylate-co-acrylic acid) copolymers are prepared in different compositions by a radical polymerization and investigated as potential materials to coat metallic stents and to carry out a local drug release. Films obtained by dissolving the copolymer in an appropriate organic solvent (also loaded with an anti-restenosis drug, such as tacrolimus) are investigated: physicochemical properties, adhesiveness to metallic stent material, and kinetics of drug release in physiological environment are studied.