Paclitaxel-eluting versus bare-metal stents in acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)

Data comparing efficacy and safety of drug eluting stents (DES), particularly paclitaxel stent with bare metal stents (BMS) in the setting of acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is limited and inconclusive. The aim of our study is to compare the efficacy and safety of paclitaxel stent with bare metal stent in acute STEMI.

A retrospective cohort study was performed on patients from our single community hospital who participated in the C-PORT trial from January 2003 to May 2005. One hundred forty-three patients treated exclusively with either BMS or paclitaxel DES were included (79 with paclitaxel DES and 64 with BMS) and were followed at 1, 3, and 6 months. The primary outcome was occurrence of major adverse cardiac events defined as cardiac death, STEMI or NSTEMI or the need for target vessel revascularization. Variables were compared using appropriate statistics and event free survival curves were estimated.

Baseline clinical characteristics in BMS and paclitaxel DES groups were well matched. No statistical difference between BMS and DES groups in the rate of cardiac death (6% vs. 9%, P = 0.56), STEMI or NSEMI (1.6% vs. 1.3% respectively, P = 0.88) and composite end point (13% vs. 10%, P = 0.65) was observed while a significant reduction in target vessel revascularization was seen in DES group (6% vs. 0% respectively, P = 0.02) was noticed.

In our patient group with acute STEMI, the use of paclitaxel DES did not show significant decrease in cumulative end points, cardiac mortality and recurrent STEMI or NSTEMI compared with BMS over a 6-month follow-up period. However, a significant reduction in revascularization of target vessel was seen.