PEDIASTENT: 4D bioresorbable stent: a lifelong solution for pediatric aortic coarctation

Pediatric aortic coarctation, a narrowing of the aorta that represents 8% of congenital heart diseases, leads to severe complications if left untreated, including heart failure, aortic rupture, and premature death. Current treatments—surgery, angioplasty, and permanent stenting—temporarily relieve the obstruction but carry high complication and reintervention rates. In children, permanent stents require multiple reinterventions as the body grows and complicate future procedures, highlighting the urgent need for adaptive, child-specific solutions.

To address this challenge, this project proposes a novel pediatric bioresorbable stent designed to adapt to vascular growth while promoting healthy arterial remodeling. Unlike conventional devices, this scaffold gradually resorbs, minimizing long-term risks, reducing the need for repeated interventions, and ensuring better long-term vascular health.

The project combines rigorous technology validation—through bench testing and in vivo studies in a rabbit model of aortic coarctation—with a strong technology transfer strateg. Key milestones include demonstrating safe catheter-based delivery and long-term vascular remodeling, securing patent protection to attract licensing partners, and developing a business model tailored to the pediatric market. With the support of “AGAUR-Producte , Ref 2025 PROD 00013”, the project “Pediastent” aims to accelerate validation, gain international visibility, and attract investment for successful clinical and market translation.