Evaluation of Corrosion Resistance of HA-TiO<sub>2</sub>/Chitosan Bilayer Coated Magnesium Alloy Based Cardiovascular Stents for Drug Delivery Applications

Development of drug eluting biodegradable cardiovascular stent materials offers a promising alternative to conventional bare metallic stents due to their excellent biocompatibility and ability to eliminate long-term complications associated with permanent implants. The study presents a novel drug-eluting bilayer coating comprising inner calcium phosphate (CaP), titanium dioxide (TiO₂) and outer DEX-loaded chitosan for magnesium alloy stents. The coating is engineered to enhance corrosion resistance, promote biocompatibility and provide controlled drug release to mitigate restenosis and inflammation. The synergistic properties of CaP-TiO₂ improve the structural stability of the coating, while the chitosan matrix ensures effective drug delivery. In-vitro corrosion measurements and drug release kinetics demonstrate the coating’s potential for dual-functionality as a biodegradable barrier and a therapeutic agent carrier respectively. The innovative approach highlights a significant step towards the development of biodegradable drug-eluting stents tailored for cardiovascular applications.