(RxWiki News) A new bioabsorbable stent used to prop open blood vessels following a procedure to open blocked arteries has shown promise in an early trial among coronary artery disease patients.
The polymer-coated, drug-eluting Synergy stent was found to be as effective as the Promus Element stent in preventing death, heart attack and other complications including a second artery-opening procedure within the initial 30 days.
"Talk to your cardiologist about the best stent choice."
Dr. Ian Meredith, a lead researcher from MonashHeart in Australia, concluded that the everolimus-eluting Synergy stent was not inferior as compared to the Promus Element.
During the randomized EVOLVE study, 291 patients with coronary artery disease were selected to receive the Promus Element, the Synergy stent or a Synergy stent with only a half dose of everolimus. Patients were followed for six months after implantation and took clopidogrel (Plavix) during that time.
The rate of complications including stent failures, heart attack, death or need for another procedure was not statistically different among the three groups at 30 days, and also at six months.
Angiograms taken of patients showed that the half-dose Synergy stent may have an advantage over the Promus Element at six months.
Researchers said the finding means that comparable efficiency may be possible with the lower dose Synergy stent. This would be especially beneficial in patients who have difficulty with the durable polymer coating, which can cause hypersensitivity reactions or stent thrombosis, which occurs when a blood clot forms on the surface of a stent. It also can delay healing.
A larger trial will be needed to confirm the findings. The study was recently published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
