[Stents and de novo coronary lesions. Meta-analysis]

The purpose of this investigation was to provide an overview of the effect of coronary artery stent and balloon angioplasty on major clinical outcomes and restenosis from 3 trials (BENESTENT, STRESS and START) comparing the two treatments in the novo lesions.

The trials included a total of 1,374 patients, 693 of whom were randomized to stent and 682 to conventional angioplasty. Relative risk, 95% confidence interval and p values were calculated for death, infarction and need for revascularization at 6 month follow-up. Restenosis was assessed by using the binary definition.

The incidence of combined clinical outcomes was similar to the two treatment strategies (relative risk 0.96; 95% CI 0.64-1.45). However, the odds for needing a new revascularization procedure were reduced by 35% in patients treated with stents (relative risk 0.65; 95% CI 0.51-0.82; p < 0.001). Restenosis rates were 25% and 36.6% (stent vs angioplasty, respectively), which represents a reduction of 31% (relative risk 0.69; 95% CI 0.58-0.81; p > 0.0001).

Compared with balloon angioplasty, coronary stents of de novo lesions in native coronary arteries decreases restenosis at 6 months. This translates into clinical benefit, as shown by a reduction in the number of new revascularization procedures.