Significant endothelial and smooth muscle dysfunction is present in the distal segments of successfully recanalized CTOs, and that seems to be more pronounced in the presence of a low grading of collateral circulation.

Background— Most drug-eluting stents currently in use are coated with a polymer carrying the drug that is released for several weeks. However, a durable polymer may provoke hypersensitive reaction, delayed artery healing, and eventually stent thrombosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of a polymer-free paclitaxel-eluting stent (PF-PES) versus a polymer-based PES (PB-PES). Methods and Results— Eligible patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention were randomized 1:1 to receive either PF-PES or PB-PES. The primary end point was late loss at 9 months. Intravascular ultrasound analysis at 9 months and final 2-year clinical follow-up were also performed. From October 2007 to April 2009, 164 patients were enrolled and randomized into 2 groups (PF-PES: n=84; PB-PES: n=80). Mean in-stent lumen loss was 0.90±0.59 mm for PF-PES and 0.49±0.52 mm for PB-PES ( P <0.001). Mean neointimal area by intravascular ultrasound was higher in PF-PES than in PB-PES (1.42±1.09 versus 0.51±0.61 mm 2 ; P <0.001). At 2 years, a composite end point of all-cause death, any myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization occurred in 36.9% for PF-PES and 16.3% for PB-PES ( P =0.004), mainly driven by a higher rate of target vessel revascularization (PF-PES: 35.7%; PB-PES: 13.8%; P =0.001). One late stent thrombosis was observed in PF-PES. Conclusions— Compared with PB-PES, PF-PES was associated with increased neointimal proliferation and subsequent clinical restenosis. Polymer plays an essential role in the performance of drug-eluting stents. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT01375855.

The NEVO stent with a reservoir technology seems to exhibit more neointimal proliferation as compared to Xience stent. The findings of our study, which currently represent the unique data existing on this reservoir technology, would need to be confirmed in a large population.

Patients on AVK treatment represent a highly comorbid population with a high event rate after PCI. The strategy of PCI with an EPC capture stent and short duration of DAT may be used in patients who need a short-term DAT.

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