Antiplatelet theRapy after Genous EPC-capturing coroNary stenT implantatiOn: the ARGENTO study: a prospective, multicenter registry

Background: To investigate the safety and efficacy of Genous Bio-engineered R stent (GRS) with ≤ 15-day or >15-day dual antiplatelet therapy (DAT), in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), with known or expected low compliance to long-term DAT (Antiplatelet theRapy after Genous EPC-capturing coroNary stenT implantatiOn--ARGENTO study).

Methods: Consecutive patients without ≤ 12-month revascularization history, known statins allergy, known hypersensitivity reaction or previous or concomitant monoclonal and/or recombinant antibodies therapy, treated with single- or multivessel PCI plus GRS, were prospectively enrolled, at four PCI centers. Major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), the composite of cardiac death, any myocardial infarction (MI) and target vessel revascularization (TVR), and stent thrombosis (ST) cumulative incidences were evaluated.

Results: Between March 2008 and March 2010, 384 patients (70.3% male, 423 lesions) were enrolled. At follow-up (22.8 ± 13.6 months), 8.6% MACEs, 3.4% cardiac death, 3.4% any MI, 4.7% TVR and 2.3% overall ST (definite/probable ST 1.3%) rates were reported, without differences between ≤ 15-day and >15-day DAT groups. At Cox multivariable-adjusted regression analysis (Hosmer-Lemeshow statistic, p=0.50) female sex, diabetes, previous PCI history, <45% left ventricular ejection fraction at admission and lesion length were identified as independent MACE predictors. DAT time duration (hazard ratio 1.98; 95% confidence interval 0.57-6.80, p=0.27) was not independent risk factor for MACEs.

Conclusions: In consecutive, prospectively enrolled patients with PCI indication and known or supposed low compliance to long-term DAT, GRS implantation might be a safe and effective option regardless of DAT duration after stenting (≤ 15 days or >15 days).