Is Abbott’s Dissolving Stent Set to Transform Peripheral Artery Disease Treatment in Europe?

Key Highlights

• Abbott receives CE Mark for the Esprit™ BTK Everolimus Eluting Resorbable Scaffold System (Esprit BTK System) to treat peripheral artery disease (PAD) below the knee
• First-of-its-kind dissolving stent designed to restore blood flow and resorb naturally, offering new hope for more than 50 million Europeans living with PAD
• LIFE-BTK clinical trial showed 48% fewer repeat procedures vs. balloon angioplasty over two years

A Breakthrough in PAD Treatment
Abbott has received CE Mark approval in Europe for its Esprit™ BTK Everolimus Eluting Resorbable Scaffold System, the world’s first dissolving stent for peripheral artery disease (PAD) below the knee. Unlike permanent metal implants, the Esprit BTK System restores blood flow, delivers everolimus to support vessel healing, and then fully resorbs over time.

Improved Outcomes Backed by Data
Clinical results from the LIFE-BTK trial, presented at the VIVA Conference, showed patients treated with the Esprit BTK System experienced 48% fewer repeat procedures compared to balloon angioplasty, a standard of care that often leads to vessel reblockage. The dissolving scaffold offers patients with severe PAD — many at risk of limb amputation — a chance at better long-term outcomes and improved quality of life.

Addressing a Major Unmet Need
More than 50 million Europeans live with PAD, a painful and life-threatening condition that blocks arteries in the lower legs and feet. Severe PAD has a 10-year survival rate of only 25%, underscoring the urgency for innovative solutions. With CE Mark, Abbott brings forward a novel therapy that aligns with its mission to help patients live healthier, fuller lives without the burden of permanent implants.

About Abbott
Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Its portfolio spans diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals, and branded generic medicines. With 114,000 colleagues serving people in 160+ countries, Abbott continues to pioneer technologies that improve health outcomes worldwide.