Thin strut bare metal stents in patients with atrial fibrillation: Is there still a need for BMS?

Matthias Leschke1, Matthias Waliszewski2, Maxime Pons3

  • 1Klinik für Kardiologie, Angiologie und Pneumologie, Klinikum Esslingen, Esslingen, Germany. m.leschke@klinikum-esslingen.de.

Insights

Thin strut bare metal stenting (BMS) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) shows comparable 9-month clinical outcomes to those without AF. This approach offers a shorter dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) duration, beneficial in a drug-eluting stent (DES)-dominant practice.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Interventional Cardiology
  • Biomedical Engineering

Background:

  • Drug-eluting stents (DES) are standard for coronary artery disease (CAD).
  • Bare metal stents (BMS) are indicated for patients unable to tolerate long dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT).
  • Thin strut BMS offer potential advantages in specific patient groups.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess 9-month clinical outcomes of thin strut BMS in an 'all comers' population.
  • To specifically evaluate outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing BMS implantation.
  • To compare outcomes between AF and non-AF patients post-BMS.

Main Methods:

  • An international, multicenter, non-randomized observational study.
  • Investigated thin strut BMS implantation in pre-defined subgroups.
  • Primary endpoint: 9-month Target Lesion Revascularization (TLR) rate. Secondary endpoints: 9-month Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE) and procedural success.

Main Results:

  • 783 patients received BMS, including 98 with AF. Mean age was 70.4 years.
  • 9-month TLR rates were 4.5% (non-AF) vs. 3.3% (AF) (P=0.613).
  • 9-month MACE rates were 10.7% (non-AF) vs. 6.7% (AF) (P=0.237), with similar stroke rates.

Conclusions:

  • Thin strut BMS implantation in AF patients yields acceptable Target Lesion Revascularization (TLR) and Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE) rates.
  • BMS offers a shorter DAPT duration, a significant advantage in current DES-dominated practice.
  • This study supports BMS as a viable option for AF patients with DES contraindications.
Abstract