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Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the safety and effect on long-term outcomes of an approach that selectively uses drug-eluting stent (DES) only in ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) that meet criteria for high risk of in-stent restenosis (ISR).
Methods: Consecutive patients (n=1832) presenting with STEMI to a single large centre between April 2004 and January 2012 were managed according to an algorithm in which those with pre-specified criteria indicating they were at high risk for ISR received DES (46%, n=847), and otherwise received bare metal stents (BMS) (54%, n=985). High risk criteria included: vessel diameter £2.5mm (£3.0mm in diabetic patients); lesion length >18mm; previous ISR; saphenous vein graft lesions; ostial lesions; bifurcation lesions; left main coronary artery lesions; and multi-vessel disease. The two groups were compared for primary composite outcome of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) including death, repeat MI and TVR; and secondary outcomes of target lesion revascularisation (TLR) and stent thrombosis (ST).
Results: Over a median period of 24 months there was no significant difference (DES vs BMS) in MACE (13.6% vs 18.1%, p=0.074), mortality (7.6% vs 10.5%, p=0.327) or definite stent thrombosis (2.6% vs 1.6%, p=0.094). Patients who received DES had a lower rate of clinically driven TLR (1.6% vs 3.9%, p=0.032).
Conclusion: An approach of selectively using DES in STEMI patients at high risk of ISR provides satisfactory long-term outcomes while limiting the number of patients exposed to DES costs.