Comparison of safety and efficacy of paclitaxel-eluting stents with durable versus biodegradable polymer implanted in saphenous vein graft lesions. Nine-month angiographic and intravascular ultrasound follow-up

Abstract

Aim: To compare safety and efficacy of stents eluting paclitaxel from biodegradable (Luc Chopin2 stent) versus durable (Taxus Liberté stent) polymer implanted into saphenous vein grafts (SVGs). Material and methods: Consecutive patients with stable angina or non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome with culprit denovo lesions in SVGs were enrolled. The patients were randomized to treatment with Luc Chopin2 or Taxus Liberté stents. The primary endpoint was neointimal hyperplasia volume measured with intravascular ultrasound performed 9 months after stent implantation. The secondary endpoint was late lumen loss assessed angiographically at 9-month follow-up. We randomized 26 patients to the Taxus Liberté group and 25 patients to the Luc Chopin2 group. Results: During 9-month follow-up the frequency of cardiac death (0% vs. 8%, p = 0.5) and target lesion revascularization (20% vs. 4%; p = 0.2) was not significantly different in the Luc Chopin2 and Taxus Liberté groups. We did not observe a significant difference in the neointima hyperplasia volume between Luc Chopin2 and Taxus stents (15.8 ±14.5 mm3 vs. 11.9 ±29.4 mm3; p = 0.1). However, late lumen loss was larger in lesions treated with Luc Chopin2 stents (0.59 ±0.74 mm vs. 0.30 ±0.81 mm; p = 0.015). Conclusions: Luc Chopin2 stents eluting paclitaxel from biodegradable polylactic-co-glycolic polymer implanted into SVGs seem to be less effective in inhibition of neointimal proliferation assessed angiographically than durable polymer Taxus Liberté stents.