Drug-eluting coronary stents--a note of caution

There are two types of coronary stents: bare-metal stents (BMS) that cost about $800 each, and drug-eluting stents (DES) that cost about $3,300 each. DES reduce the rate of restenosis but have a higher incidence of late stent thrombosis, particularly if dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel is interrupted. Stent thrombosis has a myocardial infarction rate of 70% and a mortality rate of 31%-45%. Randomised studies of BMS versus DES show no increase in myocardial infarction or death with DES in simple coronary lesions, but in clinical practice, DES are mainly used in complex coronary disease where the rate of stent thrombosis is higher. Registry data suggest an increased rate of death and myocardial infarction of 0.5%-1.0% per annum with DES. Clinicians need to be aware of the risks associated with prematurely ceasing dual antiplatelet therapy in patients with DES.