Impact of angiographic coronary artery disease complexity on ischemic and bleeding risks and on the comparative effectiveness of zotarolimus-eluting vs. bare-metal stents in uncertain drug-eluting stent candidates

Platinum chromium everolimus-eluting stents for the treatment of (complex) coronary artery disease; from SYNERGY™ to the MEGATRON™

INTRODUCTION

The introduction of drug-eluting coronary stents (DES) into clinical practice in 2002 represented a major milestone in the treatment of obstructive coronary artery disease. Over the years, significant advances in polymer coating and in antiproliferative agent technology have further improved the safety and clinical performance of newer-generation DES.

AREAS COVERED

Development of platinum chromium (PtCr) alloys with high radial strength and high radiopacity have enabled the design of new, thin-strut, flexible, and highly trackable stent platforms, while simultaneously improving stent visibility. These advances have facilitated complex percutaneous treatment of a diverse population of patients in clinical practice. This review will provide an overview of the evolution in PtCr everolimus-eluting stents from PROMUS Element™ to SYNERGY™ to the recently introduced SYNERGY MEGATRON™. The clinical data will be summarized and put into perspective, especially focusing on the role of the SYNERGY™ and MEGATRON™ platforms in the treatment of complex coronary artery disease and high-risk patients.

EXPERT OPINION

The SYNERGY™ stent demonstrates favorable clinical efficacy and safety outcome data, and whilst the clinical data on MEGATRON™ are sparse, early experience is promising. The specific overexpansion capabilities, visibility, and radial strength of the MEGATRON™ are attractive features for complex coronary interventions.

Impact of Incomplete Coronary Revascularization on Late Ischemic and Bleeding Events after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

BACKGROUND

The impact of coronary artery disease (CAD) and revascularization by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on prognosis in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) remain debated. A dismal prognosis in patients undergoing PCI has been associated with elevated baseline SYNTAX score (bSS) and residual SYNTAX score (rSS). The objective was to investigate whether the degree of bSS and rSS impacted ischemic and bleeding events after TAVR.

METHODS

bSS and rSS were calculated in 311 patients admitted for TAVR. The primary outcome was the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), a composite endpoint of myocardial infarction, stroke, cardiovascular death, or rehospitalization for heart failure. The occurrence of late major/life-threatening bleeding complications (MLBCs) and each primary endpoint individually were the secondary endpoints.

RESULTS

bSS > 22 was associated with higher occurrence of MACE (p = 0.013). rSS > 8 and bSS > 22 had no impact on overall cardiovascular mortality. rSS > 8 and bSS > 22 were associated with higher rates of myocardial infarction (p = 0.001 and p = 0.004) and late occurrence of MLBCs. Multivariate analysis showed that bSS > 22 (sHR 2.48) and rSS > 8 (sHR 2.35) remained predictors of MLBCs but not of myocardial infarction.

CONCLUSIONS

Incomplete coronary revascularization and CAD burden did not impact overall and cardiac mortality but constitute predictors of late MLBCs in TAVR patients.