the invention relates to the application of an adherent , biocompatible and stable polymeric coating onto the surface of stents with the aim to reduce the incidence of restenosis . the invention provides for the application of hydrophilic polymeric coatings on surfaces , such as stent surfaces . the polymeric coating which is used is a methacrylate polymer , viz . a polymer obtained by polymerization of reactive methacrylate monomers . suitable methacrylate polymers are those obtained by polymerization of 2 - hydroxyethyl methacrylate . poly and other methacrylate polymers are polymeric biomaterials with known biocompatibility and proven biological safety .