Choosing a drug-eluting stent: a comparison between CYPHER and TAXUS

For patients with coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous intervention, drug-eluting stents (DESs) have rapidly become the standard of care. This article reviews the currently available delivery-platform/drug-carrier-vehicle combinations and those expected to become available in the future. It also evaluates and compares current DES platforms in terms of the drug involved, the delivery platform, efficacy, and safety. Currently, 2 DES platforms are available: 1 eluting sirolimus and 1 eluting paclitaxel. Sirolimus is a macrolide antibiotic with a cytostatic mechanism and an anti-inflammatory effect. Paclitaxel is a chemotherapeutic (cytotoxic) agent. The delivery platform is composed of the balloon catheter, the stent, and the drug-carrier vehicle. The carrier vehicle offers controlled drug release and enhances drug distribution. It can be a polymer that serves as a diffusion barrier or a matrix (either durable or degradable) for drug loading. Alternatively, a structural modification on the surface of the stent itself, such as a groove or well in which the drug is placed, can serve as carrier. With respect to efficacy, major trials have shown that the sirolimus platform has a lower late luminal loss rate than does the paclitaxel stent. Moreover, less intimal proliferation and obstruction occurs with the sirolimus platform than with the paclitaxel platform. Also, compared to bare metal stents, the sirolimus platform reduces late luminal loss in challenging subsets of patients. Both stents offer excellent short-term safety. To improve our understanding of these stents, a head-to-head comparison is needed.