In order to bring you the best possible user experience, this site uses Javascript. If you are seeing this message, it is likely that the Javascript option in your browser is disabled. For optimal viewing of this site, please ensure that Javascript is enabled for your browser.
Did you know that your browser is out of date? To get the best experience using our website we recommend that you upgrade to a newer version. Learn more.

Absorbable Stents Prove Non-Inferior to Metal in STEMI study

STUDY NAME: The ABSORB STEMI TROFI II trial - SESSION NAME: Hot Line VI - Coronary artery disease

A drug-eluting coronary stent made of absorbable material performed similarly to the gold-standard metal one in a non-inferiority trial among patients with the more serious type of heart attack known as ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), according to results of the ABSORB STEMI TROFI II trial.

Cardiovascular Surgery
Interventional Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery


LONDON, UK – 01 September, 2015:  A drug-eluting coronary stent made of absorbable material performed similarly to the gold-standard metal one in a non-inferiority trial among patients with the more serious type of heart attack known as ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), according to results of the ABSORB STEMI TROFI II trial.

“This is the first randomised controlled trial to compare the stent coverage between these two types of stents in the STEMI setting,” said senior investigator Patrick W Serruys, MD, PhD, who presented the findings at ESC Congress 2015, with simultaneous publication in the European Heart Journal.

Unlike metallic stents which remain permanently in place, absorbable stents also known as “bioresorbable vascular scaffolds” (BVS) eventually biodegrade restoring the natural physiology of coronary vessels – “a factor which may be more important in STEMI patients, who tend to have delayed arterial healing as compared to patients with stable coronary artery disease,” explained Professor Serruys, from the International Centre for Circulatory Health, Imperial College, London, UK.

The study included 191 STEMI patients (mean age 58.6 years) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention at 8 medical centres.

Patients were randomised to receive either a BVS (n=95) or metallic stent (n=96), both types being “drug-eluting”, meaning coated in everolimus, a drug to reduce the risk of vessel reblockage.

The primary endpoint of the study was a 6-month score assessing stent coverage and restenosis of the vessel using coronary optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging.

Given the chosen criteria for non-inferiority, the score was similar (1.74 in the BVS arm and 2.80 in the metallic stent arm), indicating almost complete arterial healing in both groups and meeting the criteria for non-inferiority (P<0.001).

Clinical events measured as a composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction (MI), or clinically-driven target lesion revascularisation, were 1.1% in the BVS arm compared to 0.0% in the metallic stent arm (P=ns), with one case of definite subacute thrombosis in the BVS arm.

“This trial provides the basis for further exploration in clinical outcomes trials,” noted Dr. Serruys.

ENDS

Notes to editor

SOURCES OF FUNDING: European Cardiovascular Research Institute (ECRI); Abbott Vascular and Terumo Europe N.V.

DISCLOSURES: Professor Serruys is a member of the international advisory board of Abbott.


ESC Press Office
For background information or assistance, please contact the ESC Press Office.
For independent comment on site or interviews, please contact the ESC spokesperson coordinator: +44 7785 467 947


About the European Society of Cardiology
The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) represents more than 90 000 cardiology professionals across Europe and worldwide. Its mission is to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease in Europe.
 
About ESC Congress 2015
ESC Congress is the world’s largest and most influential cardiovascular event contributing to global awareness of the latest clinical trials and breakthrough discoveries. ESC Congress 2015 takes place 29 August to 2 September at ExCel London in London, UK. Access the scientific programme. More information is available from the ESC Press Office at press@escardio.org.

To access all the scientific resources from the sessions during the congress, visit ESC Congress 365.  

This press release accompanies both a presentation and an ESC press conference at the ESC Congress 2015. Edited by the ESC from material supplied by the investigators themselves, this press release does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Society of Cardiology. The content of the press release has been approved by the presenter.