Background: After successful recanalization of a coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) the risk for restenosis and subsequent need for repeat intervention is high. Everolimus-eluting stents (EESs) were associated with low rates of restenosis, reintervention and stent thrombosis in non-occluded lesions. We sought to determine the antiproliferative impact of the everolimus-eluting Xience V stent in CTOs.
Methods: Fifty-three patients with a CTO in a native coronary artery were included. CTO was defined as a duration of occlusion ≥3 months and thrombolysis in myocardial infarction 0 flow. EESs were exclusively implanted to completely cover the occluded and adjacent stenotic segments. Dual antiplatelet therapy was prescribed for 6 months. Follow-up angiography was scheduled at 6 months. Clinical follow-up was done at 12 months. The primary endpoint was late loss at the initial occlusion site. Secondary clinical endpoint was a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction not clearly attributable to a non-target vessel and target lesion revascularization.
Results: Mean occlusion length was 24 ± 17 mm, ranging from 4 to 74 mm. Mean stent length was 79 ± 36 mm, ranging from 18 to 158 mm. Reference diameter was 3.27 ± 0.58 mm. Late loss at the initial occlusion site was 0.22 ± 0.69 mm. There were six (11%) binary restenosis with a target lesion reintervention in three (6%) patients. There was no death, myocardial infarction or stent thrombosis within 12 months.
Conclusion: In patients with successful recanalization of complex CTOs the use of EESs results in a low angiographic late loss and restenosis rate without stent thrombosis throughout 12 months follow-up.