Galvanic current induced by heterogeneous structures on stainless steel wire

Galvanic corrosion could be initialized between the heterogeneous structures of an implant and the resulting corrosion products could act as a trigger for thrombosis and inflammation leading to restenosis after deployment of implant inside the artery. Experimental evidence showed that there were significant differences in the electrochemical behaviors among the different grain sizes of an implant. Galvanic current was detected between different grain sizes of 316L stainless steel wires both in vitro and in vivo. Severe corrosion and thrombosis were observed at anodic sites. Results demonstrated that homogeneous structure is the essential requirement for an implant in order to minimize the development of galvanic corrosion and to prevent its aftermath after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA).