In the 309 patients who received a paclitaxel-eluting stent, the incidence of the end point was 8.7%, compared with 12.6% in the 310 patients who received a bare-metal stent. Although this was a 32% risk reduction associated with the paclitaxel-eluting stent, the difference was not statistically significant, reported Dr. Maurits T. Dirksen, a cardiologist at Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis Hospital, Amsterdam. In this study, patients treated with the drug-eluting stent had both a 26% reduced rate of death or MI and a 32% reduced rate of need for revascularization.
The 1-year rate of stent thrombosis was 1% in both treatment groups. Stent thrombosis after the first 30 days following treatment occurred in two patients who received paclitaxel-eluting stents and in none of the patients who received bare-metal stents. Patients were directed to remain on aspirin and clopidogrel for at least 6 months after stent placement.