Differential Effects of Newer-Generation Ultrathin-Strut Versus Thicker-Strut Drug-Eluting Stents in Chronic and Acute Coronary Syndromes

JACC Cardiovasc Interv. 2021 Nov 22;14(22):2461-2473. doi: 10.1016/j.jcin.2021.09.028.

Abstract

Objectives: The authors sought to compare the differential effects of ultrathin-strut and thicker-strut drug-eluting stents (DES) in patients with chronic (CCS) versus acute (ACS) coronary syndromes.

Background: Newest-generation ultrathin-strut DES reduce target lesion failure (TLF) compared with thicker-strut second-generation DES in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for randomized controlled trials comparing newer-generation ultrathin-strut (<70 μm) versus thicker-strut (≥70 μm) DES. Patients were divided based on baseline clinical presentation (CCS versus ACS). The primary endpoint was TLF, a composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction, or clinically indicated target lesion revascularization (TLR).

Results: A total of 22,766 patients from 16 randomized controlled trials were included, of which 9 trials reported TLF rates in ACS patients. At a mean follow-up of 12.2 months, the risk of TLF was lower among patients treated with ultrathin-strut compared with thicker-strut DES (risk ratio [RR]: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.75-0.95; P = 0.006). The difference was driven by a lower risk of clinically-indicated TLR (RR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.63-0.89; P < 0.001) among patients treated with ultrathin-strut DES. The treatment effect was consistent between patients presenting with CCS and ACS (relative RR: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.73-1.31; P for interaction = 0.854). In patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, TLF risk was lower among those treated with ultrathin- compared with thicker-strut DES (RR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.54-0.99; P = 0.049).

Conclusions: Ultrathin-strut DES reduce the risk of TLF compared with thicker-strut second-generation DES in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention, a difference caused by a lower risk of ischemia-driven TLR. The treatment effect was consistent among patients with CCS and ACS.

Keywords: acute coronary syndrome; drug-eluting stent(s); percutaneous coronary intervention; ultrathin-strut.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Absorbable Implants
  • Acute Coronary Syndrome* / diagnostic imaging
  • Acute Coronary Syndrome* / etiology
  • Acute Coronary Syndrome* / therapy
  • Coronary Artery Disease* / diagnostic imaging
  • Coronary Artery Disease* / etiology
  • Coronary Artery Disease* / therapy
  • Drug-Eluting Stents*
  • Humans
  • Percutaneous Coronary Intervention* / adverse effects
  • Prosthesis Design
  • Treatment Outcome