Coronary angioscopic findings 9 months after everolimus-eluting stent implantation compared with sirolimus-eluting stents.

OBJECTIVES

We assessed angioscopic findings after everolimus-eluting stents (EES) implantation, compared with sirolimus-eluting stents (SES).

BACKGROUND

Coronary angioscopy (CAS) provides an opportunity to assess neointimal coverage over stent struts, thrombus, and plaque color by direct visualization. CAS is a useful tool for evaluating stent struts after drug-eluting stent implantation. Angioscopic findings after EES implantation have not been reported before.

METHODS

We performed CAS in 23 patients who were treated with EES and 41 patients with SES. CAS was performed 8.5 months after stent implantation. We assessed neointimal coverage, thrombus, and plaque color. We classified neointimal coverage in 4 grades: grade 0=struts were completely exposed; grade 1=struts were visible with dull light reflexion; grade 2=there was no light reflexion from slightly visible struts; grade 3=struts were completely covered.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in minimum, maximum, dominant grade of neointimal coverage, and heterogeneity index between EES and SES. Thrombus was less frequently observed in EES than SES (4% vs 29%, p=0.02). When we divided study patients into acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or stable angina pectoris (SAP), there was a tendency toward less thrombus in EES than SES, in both ACS and SAP. Maximum color grade of the plaques was less advanced in EES than SES (p<0.01). Yellow plaques of grade 2 or 3 were less frequent in EES than SES (35% vs 76%, p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggested that EES were associated with lower risk of thrombus formation than SES.