Coatings including natural biodegradable polysaccharides and uses thereof

An implantable medical article comprising a biodegradable bioactive agent-releasing coating comprising a polymeric matrix of polysaccharides crosslinked via polymerized groups, wherein the polysaccharides are selected from the group consisting of maltodextrin, polyalditol, cyclodextrin, and amylose, and the polymerized groups are selected from the group consisting of polymerized vinyl, acrylate, methacrylate, ethacrylate, 2-phenyl acrylate, acrylamide, methacrylamide, itaconate, and styrene groups, and the polysaccharides further comprise pendent hydrophobic groups selected from the group consisting of esters of fatty acids and esters of C2-C18 alkyl groups, wherein the polymeric matrix further comprises a bioactive agent in the polymeric matrix, and the bioactive agent is capable of being released from the implantable medical article following implantation.