INTRODUCTION: Higher strut thickness of coronary bare metal stents is associated with restenosis risk after bare metal stent implantation. New bare metal stents with thin struts have been developed, but there have been few studies comparing these new devices. METHODS: from February 2004 until January 2007, 475 consecutive patients underwent percutaneous coronary intervention treating "de novo" coronary lesions exclusively using BMS. One hundred and eleven patients with stainless steel stent (Liberté® group I) and 364 with cobalt chromium stent (Driver® group II). Bypass venous graft, cardiogenic shock and restenosis were excluded. Patient progress was evaluated during their hospital stay and an average 18-month outpatient follow-up. RESULTS: Angiographic success in almost all cases, with reduced in-hospital cardiac complications. Over an average 18-month period we found a low incidence of major adverse cardiac events (10.1 vs 7.3%; p=0.2) and a reduction in target vessel revascularization procedures (8.6 vs 6.9%; p=0.3). CONCLUSION: Implantation of new generation BMS with thinner-struts to treat "de novo" coronary lesions, in a select population, reduces target vessel revascularization to below 10%, with both devices achieving similar results.
Stents; Stainless steel; Chromium; Chromium alloys
