药物洗脱支架和金属裸支架治疗弥漫病变的比较研究

目的比较冠心病患者弥漫病变采用药物洗脱支架和金属裸支架治疗的近期和远期预后,分析影响这类病变介入治疗预后的危险因素。方法研究对象为我院2004年4月至2005年8月接受置入单个长度>25.0mm支架治疗并且进行冠状动脉造影随访的205例患者,排除支架置入失败及支架置入位置不理想者。分为置入药物洗脱支架(DES)组(n=128)和置入金属裸支架(BMS)组(n=77)。所有的患者术后均接受阿司匹林300mg、氯吡格雷75mg等规范药物治疗。手术成功判定标准为至少用相互垂直的两个投照体位行冠状动脉造影,肉眼判定残余狭窄<20%和前向血流TIMI3级。再狭窄判定标准以复查冠状动脉造影定量分析支架内或支架邻近血管管腔直径狭窄程度≥50%。患者在支架术后6个月左右接受冠状动脉造影随访。结果共205例患者(男性181例,女性24例)227个靶病变置入382枚支架完成造影随访。其中C型病变占总数的93.8%,B2型病变为6.2%。双支或双支以上血管病变的患者比例达到86.8%。平均术前参考血管直径(2.88±0.43)mm。平均每个病变支架长度(40.09±12.94)mm,54.2%的病变接受了重叠置入支架。比较置入DES组和置入BMS组,两组的患者基本条件差异无统计学意义,在病变基本条件方面,DES组术前参考血管直径明显小于BMS组[(2.80±0.37)mm比(3.10±0.48)mm,P=0.005]。6个月随访结果显示再狭窄率DES组(15.4%)小于BMS组(48.4%),P<0.001。晚期支架内腔径丢失BMS组明显大于DES组[(0.94±0.76)mm比(0.39±0.53)mm,P<0.001]。靶病变血管重建率DES要明显好于BMS(11.6%比38.5%,P<0.001)。支架内再狭窄在置入DES组的局限性再狭窄比例大于置入BMS组(33.3%比18.2%,P=0.029)。对影响复杂弥漫病变支架再狭窄因素的多元logistic回归分析发现,采用支架重叠置入(OR=2.82,P=0.017)和支架类型(OR=5.71,P<0.001)是对复杂弥漫病变支架内再狭窄影响最大的危险因素。结论我们的研究发现对于复杂弥漫病变的治疗,药物洗脱支架有着良好的治疗效果,较金属裸支架能明显减低再狭窄率。对于弥漫病变,我们应该使用长支架,尽可能减少支架重叠置入的数量。     

对比分析CYPHER支架、TAXUS支架和BMS在治疗冠状动脉长病变的疗效差异

冠脉长病变PCI术后易发生再狭窄,DES在冠脉长病变中的疗效尚不清楚。此项研究的目的是观察CYPHER支架(SES)、TAXUS支架(PES)和BMS治疗冠脉长病变来分析三者间疗效差异。入选527例冠脉病变≥24mm的患者,其中223处病变置入SES(≥28mm),194处病变置入PES,201处病变置入BMS。结果显示,SES组、PES组中的病变长度均明显大于BMS组[(36.0±14.9)mm、(36.3±14.5)mm比(32.0±12.3)mm,P<0.001],DES组的支架长度明显长于BMS组。6个月造影随访结果显示,SES组和PES组中的段内再狭窄均明显低于BMS组(9.3%、21.3%比42.5%,P<0.001)…     

冠心病合并2型糖尿病患者置入药物洗脱支架的疗效评价

目的 评价冠心病合并2型糖尿病患者冠状动脉病变置入药物洗脱支架后的疗效。方法 选择我院2004年4月至2005年8月连续接受置入药物洗脱支架（DES）或金属裸支架（BMS）治疗并且进行了冠状动脉造影随访的139例的冠心病合并2型糖尿病患者。所有患者在支架术后6个月后接受冠状动脉造影随访。结果共139例患者（男性114例,女性25例）221处病变完成随访。其中C型病变94处（42．5％）,完全闭塞病变42处（19．0％）,平均每个病变支架长度（26．53±14．72）mm,平均参考血管直径（2．80±0．43）mm。两组患者在性别比例和年龄方面差异无统计学意义。两组在冠心病的危险因素如：高血压病、高脂血症、吸烟等方面差异无统计学意义。两组病变的复杂程度基本相当。DES组的参考血管直径比BMS组小[（2．71±0．41）mm比（2．98±0．53）mm,P〈0．001]。6个月后随访,DES组的支架内再狭窄率（10．6％比38．6％,P〈0．001）和病变内晚期腔径丢失[（0．24±0．56）mm比（0．91±0．77）mm,P〈0．001]明显低于BMS组。DES组的靶病变血管重建率显著低于BMS组（8．6％比30．0％,P〈0．001）。DES组有4例晚期支架内血栓。结论 本研究显示药物洗脱支架对于冠心病合并2型糖尿病患者冠状动脉病变的介入治疗有着良好的治疗效果,明显优于金属裸支架。     

雷帕霉素洗脱支架治疗冠脉左前降支近中段病变的临床疗效评价

目的评价雷帕霉素洗脱支架治疗冠脉左前降支近中段病变的临床疗效。方法以冠脉造影显示左前降支近中段狭窄病变并分别置入雷帕霉素洗脱支架(SES组)或裸金属支架(BMS组)的患者各100例为研究对象。记录患者的一般情况、临床和冠脉病变特征,术后1年临床随访和冠脉造影复查。结果两组患者匹配良好,仅SES组置入支架的长度显著长于BMS组(21.07±7.45mmvs18.25±6.82mm,P=0.0057)。在随访中,无心源性死亡,SES组1例因支架内再狭窄发生急性心肌梗死。冠脉造影复查显示SES组再狭窄率较BMS组显著降低(7.4%vs25.9%,P=0.002),并直接导致不良事件发生率的下降。结论药物洗脱支架显著降低左前降支近中段狭窄病变介入治疗后再狭窄发生率,可作为血运重建的一种有效策略。     

紫杉醇支架和金属裸支架治疗弥漫长病变的效果比较研究

目的:比较采用紫杉醇药物洗脱支架(PES)和金属裸支架(BMS)治疗弥漫长病变的近期和远期预后。方法:患者为我院接受置入单个长度>25 mm紫杉醇药物洗脱支架(PES组,n=68)或金属裸支架(BMS组,n= 132)治疗并且进行冠状动脉造影随访的200例患者。患者在支架术后6个月后接受冠状动脉造影随访。结果:在患者临床基本条件方面PES组较BMS组2型糖尿病患者更多,有显著性差异;在病变基本条件方面,PEs组术前参考血管直径明显小于BMS组,支架长度大于BMS组。6个月后的随访结果显示支架内再狭窄率PES组小于BMS组(P=0．002)。晚期腔径丢失BMS组明显大于PES组(P<0．001)。靶病变血管重建率(TLR)PES组有好于BMS组[10(13．5％)vs．35(24．3％),P=0．062]的趋势,但是没有达到统计学差异。结论:本研究发现对于弥漫长病变的治疗,PES较BMS明显减少晚期腔径丢失和支架再狭窄率,靶病变血管重建率两组并没有差异,临床效果尚需进一步观察。     

药物洗脱支架置人术后断裂导致支架内再狭窄的临床分析

目的 探讨药物洗脱支架(DES)置入术后支架断裂与再狭窄的关系及支架断裂的特点.方法 回顾性分析冠状动脉支架置人术后行冠状动脉造影复查的536例患者,实验分为DES组(N=397)和裸金属支架(BMS)组(n=139).分析支架置入术前、术后及复查时的冠状动脉造影图像,找出支架内再狭窄和支架断裂的病例,分析支架断裂和再狭窄的关系以及支架断裂的病变特征及形态特征.结果 DES组和BMS组再狭窄分别为31例和30例(P＜0.01),其中5例发生支架断裂,断裂的支架均为DES,BMS组未见支架断裂,两组差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).发生支架断裂的5例靶病变均为扭曲病变,支架断裂均发生在血管扭曲成角处.结论 支架断裂是DES置入术后发生再狭窄的原因之一,扭曲病变置入长的DES后可能容易发生支架断裂.     

光学相干断层成像分析极晚期支架内血栓形成

背景极晚期支架内血栓形成(VLST)是一种有致死风险的介入术后晚期并发症,但其具体发生机制尚不完全明确。目的应用光学相干断层成像(OCT)评价23例药物洗脱支架(DES)或金属裸支架(BMS)相关的VLST靶病变。方法入选VLST患者23例(18例DES,5例BMS),介入治疗前于靶病变处行OCT检查。结果支架植入至发生VLST的持续时间BMS组明显长于DES组[(112.00±51.36)个月vs(41.39±19.64)个月,P0.001]。BMS组新生内膜厚度大于DES组[(0.33±0.24)μm vs(0.26±0.22)μm,P0.001]。23例VLST靶病变中,OCT明确观察到支架内新生内膜含薄纤维帽粥样斑块(TCFA)18例(78.26%),支架内再狭窄15例(65.22%)。新生内膜破裂15例(65.22%),DES组与BMS组间差异无统计学意义(55.56%vs 100%,P=0.07),破裂位于最小管腔面积处13例(56.52%)。存在无内膜覆盖支架丝17例(73.91%),DES组高于BMS组(88.89%vs 20%,P=0.008)。同时存在新生内膜破裂和无内膜覆盖支架丝8例(34.78%)。与无新生内膜破裂相比,有新生内膜破裂病变更易出现TIMI血流3级(60.00%vs 12.50%,P=0.038)。结论本支架内新生内膜动脉粥样硬化进展至内膜破裂在BMS和DES相关的VLST病变中均普遍存在,且DES早于BMS。新生内膜延迟愈合在DES相关的VLST靶病变中较为多见。     

两种药物洗脱支架在冠状动脉复杂弥漫病变中的疗效比较

目的比较雷帕霉素洗脱支架(SES)和紫杉醇洗脱支架(PES)对长度≥25mm复杂病变的疗效。方法入选138例患者(男124例,女14例)冠状动脉(冠脉)病变长度≥25mm,接受SES和PES介入治疗,并且在支架术后6个月左右接受冠脉造影随访。结果共147处病变在6个月后随访。其中2型糖尿病患者43例(31·2%),C型病变129处(87·8%)。SES组的支架内再狭窄率(5·9%,17·7%,P=0·023)、支架段再狭窄率(9·4%,21·0%,P=0·048)和支架段晚期腔径丢失[(0·16±0·52)mm比(0·45±0·65)mm,P=0·003)]、支架内晚期腔径丢失[(0·26±0·46)mm比(0·60±0·66)mm,P=0·001)]明显低于PES组。两组之间在随访期间靶病变血管重建率(7·1%比12·9%,P=0·223)差异无统计学意义。结论对于复杂弥漫病变SES在再狭窄率和晚期腔径丢失要优于PES,对于远期预后的影响还需要进一步的观察。SES更适合用于复杂小血管病变。     

雷帕霉素洗脱支架治疗冠状动脉慢性完全性闭塞病变

目的:评价雷帕霉素洗脱支架在冠状动脉慢性(闭塞时间≥3个月)闭塞性病变治疗中的疗效。方法:86例冠状动脉造影显示慢性闭塞性病变患者,在成功重建冠状动脉血运后置入雷帕霉素洗脱支架(CypherTM, Cordis,Johnson & Johnson)50例(SES组),裸金属支架36例(BMS组),比较两组术后1年内各种不良心脏事件(死亡、心肌梗死、再次血管重建术和支架内血栓形成)的发生情况和再狭窄、再闭塞发生率。结果:SES组不良心脏事件发生率较BMS组显著降低(4．0％vs 19．4％,P<0．05)。SES组和BMS组分别有17例 (34．0％)和13例(36．1％)患者行冠状动脉造影复查,SES组较BMS组晚期丧失[(0．18±0．54)mm vs(0．85±0．98) mm,P<0．05]和再狭窄率(11．8％ vs 46．2％,P<0．05)显著降低。结论:雷帕霉素洗脱支架在冠状动脉慢性闭塞性病变治疗中可显著降低不良心脏事件的发生率和再狭窄发生率。     

冠状动脉支架内再狭窄的相关因素分析

目的　探讨可能引起支架内再狭窄的临床及支架相关因素。方法　选择随访的冠状动脉造影资料较全的 137例支架术后患者。依冠状动脉造影结果将其分为支架内再狭窄组和非再狭窄组 ,然后对可能引起支架内再狭窄的临床和支架相关因素在两组中进行对比分析。结果　两组年龄、吸烟、饮酒等情况相似 ,高血压病及糖尿病的发生率差异无显著性。再狭窄组术前靶血管狭窄程度较非再狭窄组重 ,分别为 91%± 7%和 88%± 14% (P =0 0 33)。再狭窄组所选支架的平均直径较非再狭窄组的小 ,分别为 (3 19± 3 90 )mm和 (3 6 3± 0 30 )mm(P =0 0 0 5 ) ;支架长度却较非再狭窄组的长 ,分别为 (2 1 91± 8 98)mm和 (18 2 0± 6 0 7)mm(P =0 0 11)。再狭窄组的支架扩张总时间明显短于非再狭窄组 ,分别为 (2 2 74± 19 5 6 )s和 (2 9 12± 2 5 72 )s(P =0 0 2 6 )。两组的支架扩张次数和扩张压力差异无显著性。结论　本文资料提示年龄、吸烟、饮酒、高血压病、糖尿病、支架扩张次数及压力的大小等因素对支架内再狭窄无明显影响 ,但术前靶血管狭窄程度和支架长度与支架内再狭窄呈正相关 ,而支架直径和支架扩张总时间则呈负相关。     

Drug-eluting stent-supported percutaneous coronary intervention for chronic total coronary occlusion.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to determine the clinical and angiographic outcomes after drug-eluting stent (DES)-supported percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic total coronary occlusion (CTO). BACKGROUND: There are few data about the efficacy of DES-supported PCI for CTO. METHODS: All consecutive patients who had a sirolimus-eluting stent or a paclitaxel-eluting stent implanted for CTO from December 2003 to December 2004 were analyzed. Clinical and angiographic outcomes of patients treated with DES were compared with a case-matched control group of patients treated with bare metal stents (BMS) in the 12 months before the routine use of DES. RESULTS: Successful DES-supported PCI was performed in 92 patients and 104 CTO. The case-matched control group consisted of 26 patients and 27 CTO successfully treated with BMS. There were no differences between groups in baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics. Stent length in the DES group was higher as compared with that of BMS group (51+/-28 mm vs. 40+/-19 mm, P=0.073). The 6-month major adverse cardiac event (MACE) rate was lower in the DES group as compared with that of BMS group (9.8% vs. 23%, P=0.072). The angiographic follow-rate was 80% in the DES group and 81% in the BMS group. The 6-month restenosis rate was 19% in the DES group and 45% in the BMS group (P<0.001). By multivariate analysis, it was found that in the DES group, the only predictors of restenosis were stented segment length (OR 1.031, 95% CI 1.01-1.06, P=0.009) and a target vessel reference diameter<2.5 mm (OR 6.48, 95% CI 1.51-27.83, P=0.012), while the only predictor of MACE was stent length (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.08, P=0.006). CONCLUSIONS: DES implantation for CTO decreases the risk of mid-term restenosis and MACE. Small vessels and diffuse disease requiring the implantation of multiple stents and very long stents for full coverage of the target lesion are still associated with a relatively high risk of restenosis.     

西罗莫司和紫杉醇洗脱支架治疗支架内再狭窄的临床近期及10个月疗效

目的比较西罗莫司洗脱支架（Cypher或Cypher select）和紫杉醇洗脱支架（TAXUS）治疗支架内再狭窄的临床近期及10个月疗效。方法自2002年12月至2005年3月,对253例支架内再狭窄的患者采用了药物洗脱支架（DES）治疗并完成了10个月的临床随访和冠状动脉造影复查。253例中男性218例,女性35例,年龄30～80岁,平均年龄57．2岁。结果253例（262处病变）中152例使用Cypher支架176个,101例使用TAXUS支架132个。使用的Cypher和TAXUS支架的平均直径分别为（2．96±0．27）mm和（3．05±0,35）mm,P=0．04,平均长度分别为（23.31±6．68）mm和（23．56±6．54）mm,P=0．745。支架内再狭窄表现为100％闭塞29处,≥90％狭窄143处,〈90％狭窄90处。病变类型为A、B1、B2和C型各为9处、45处、73处和135处。PCI的成功率两组均为100％,住院期间无死亡,Cypher组主要心脏不良事件（MACE）发生率为2．63％,TAXUS组为2．97％,P=0．872。10个月临床造影显示在Cypher支架和TAXUS支架组中造影再狭窄率分别为14．0％和29．4％,P=0．075,MACE发生率分别为6．7％和16．0％,P=0．031。结论应用Cypher和TAXUS支架治疗支架内再狭窄有良好的近期临床疗效,10个月疗效Cypher支架优于TAXUS支架。     

药物洗脱支架治疗冠状动脉小血管病变的疗效分析

目的通过分析比较裸金属支架(BMS)与药物洗脱支架[DES,包括雷帕霉素(Cypher)支架和紫杉醇(TAXUS)支架]治疗冠状动脉小血管病变疗效的差异,为DES治疗多支及单支小血管病变冠心病提供依据。方法连续入选2002年12月至2005年5月沈阳军区总医院首次接受经皮冠状动脉介入治疗(PCI)、靶血管为小血管病变且达到完全血运重建的486例患者,其中多支小血管病变(多支)150例。分为BMS组214例(多支63例)、Cypher组140例(多支46例)和TAXUS组132例(多支41例),对比分析各组患者住院期间及随访6个月的临床情况。结果3组患者冠脉病变特点、PCI成功率及住院期间主要不良心脏事件(MACE)发生率等指标差异均无显著性(P>0·05)。冠脉造影随访显示,两个DES组再狭窄率均明显低于BMS(Cypher组4·9%,TAXUS组7·5%对BMS组29·2%,P<0·05),随访期间MACE发生率亦明显低于BMS(Cypher组2·9%,TAXUS组3·9%对BMS组12·0%,P<0·01)。进一步分析多支小血管病例,发现两个DES组的再狭窄率及随访期间MACE发生率仍然明显低于BMS组(再狭窄率Cypher组6·7%,TAXUS组7·1%对BMS组37·5%,P<0·05;MACE发生率Cypher组4·1%,TAXUS组4·8%对BMS组21·0%,P<0·05)。结论Cypher和TAXUS支架治疗小血管病变安全可行,疗效显著,治疗多支小血管病变可得到相同的疗效。     

药物洗脱支架与切割球囊预扩张后置入金属裸支架治疗前降支开口病变的近、远期临床疗效比较

目的 探讨药物洗脱支架(DES)治疗前降支开口病变的近、远期临床疗效,并与早期应用切割球囊预扩张后(CBA)置入金属裸支架(BMS)的近、远期临床疗效进行比较.方法 自2003年11月至2005年5月采用DES对51例连续前降支开口病变的患者进行介入治疗,选自2000年5月至2003年11月应用CBA+BMS治疗前降支开口病变的连续50例患者作为对照组,要求所有患者在介入治疗后6～8个月进行冠状动脉造影复查,DES组与CBA+BMS组患者分别完成了2年和4年的临床随访.结果 在DES组中1例于住院期间发生急性心肌梗死,住院期间主要不良心脏事件(MACE)发生率为1.96%(1/51),29例完成了6～8个月的冠状动脉造影复查,再狭窄发生率为10.3%(3/29).在2年临床随访中1例死亡,靶病变重建4例,MACE发生率为9.8%(5/51).在CBA+BMS组中住院期间无心脏事件,28例完成了6～8个月的冠状动脉造影复查,再狭窄发生率为17.9%(5/28).2年临床随访中1例死亡,行靶病变重建5例,MACE发生率为12%(6/50).结论 在2年的临床随访中,支架内再狭窄、MACE发生率两组比较差异均无统计学意义,研究结果 提示无论是采用DES还是CBA+BMS治疗前降支开口病变均有良好的近、远期疗效.     

冠状动脉支架置入术后不同类型支架再狭窄形式分析

目的通过分析冠状动脉支架置入后造影复查的影像资料,寻找不同支架再狭窄的特点。方法入选行冠状动脉病变介入治疗后造影复查的846处病变,对再狭窄病变行再狭窄形式分析。结果裸支架和药物支架再狭窄中支架近端局限性再狭窄分别占5.69%和33.67%(P=0.000),而支架内弥漫性再狭窄分别占29.27%和9.18%(P=0.000),弥漫性狭窄累及支架两端的分别为20.33%和6.12%(P=0.003),闭塞性再狭窄发生率分别为9.76%和10.20%(P=0.912)。雷帕霉素及其衍生物释放支架和紫杉醇释放支架再狭窄支架边缘局限性再狭窄分别为47.06%和25.00%(P=0.037),支架内弥漫性狭窄分别为1.96%和16.67%(P=0.018)。结论药物支架改变了支架再狭窄模式,弥漫型转为局限型;闭塞性再狭窄时药物支架以支架近端闭塞为主,裸支架以支架内闭塞为主;紫杉醇药物释放支架弥漫性再狭窄发生率较雷帕霉素释放支架有所增加。     

Clinical and angiographic follow-up after long versus short stenting in unselected chronic coronary occlusions

BACKGROUND: Few data are available on the efficacy of long stenting for lesions in unselected chronic total occlusion (CTO). HYPOTHESIS: The study was undertaken to evaluate the angiographic restenosis and long-term clinical outcomes after long stent implantation in patients with CTO. METHODS: Our retrospective analysis includes a consecutive series of stent implantation in 220 patients with CTO. We compared angiographic restenosis, target lesion revascularization, and long-term clinical outcomes of short stenting (< 20 mm, Group 1, n = 113) with a concurrent series of long stenting (> or = 20 mm, Group 2, n = 107). RESULTS: Angiographic follow-up was obtained in 174 patients (79.5% of those eligible), and the rates of angiographic restenosis were 19.3% in Group 1 and 33.7% in Group 2 (p < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, the postinterventional minimal lumen diameter was the only independent predictor of restenosis (odds ratio = 0.20, 95% confidence interval 0.08-0.49, p < 0.01). The angiographic restenosis rate was significantly lower in Group 1 than in Group 2 in patients with final minimal lumen diameter < 3.0 mm (28.9 vs. 55.9%, respectively, p < 0.05). However, the angiographic restenosis rate was not significantly different between the two groups in patients with final minimal lumen diameter > or = 3 mm (12.0 vs. 19.2%, respectively, p = NS). During the follow-up (29.1 +/- 10.8 months), there was no difference between the two groups in death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization. CONCLUSIONS: The use of long (> or = 20 mm) versus short (< 20 mm) stents in patients with CTO is associated with a higher angiographic restenosis rate, but there is an equivalent risk of restenosis in selected patients with relatively large-sized vessels.     

Hydrocortisone reduces restenosis after stenting of small coronary arteries

Stenting of small coronary arteries has been limited by high rates of restenosis, and restenosis after stenting has chiefly been attributed to inflammatory reactions resulting in cell proliferation and intimal hyperplasia. In order to suppress this inflammatory process, we examined the effects of hydrocortisone, an antiinflammatory agent, on restenosis after stenting in a nonrandomized retrospective registry. The study population consisted of 193 patients treated at two hospitals, who underwent stent implantations in coronary arteries of reference diameter <3 mm between February 1999 and September 2001. Target lesions included complex, restenotic, diabetic, or chronic total lesions and types of implanted stents were Multi-Link, S-series, and gfx stents. Effect of intravenous administration of hydrocortisone (200 mg) before stenting was compared to control patients who did not receive this treatment. There was no significant difference of early outcomes between the hydrocortisone group and the control group. On angiographic follow-up at 6 months after stenting, the rate of restenosis was significantly lower in patients treated with hydrocortisone as compared with control group (22.8% vs 37%, respectively; P < 0.05). The revascularization rate of target lesion at 6 months was also significantly lower in the treated group (16.5% vs 29%, respectively; P < 0.05). These results suggest that preprocedural intravenous administration of hydrocortisone reduces restenosis after stenting of small coronary arteries. Prospectively controlled trials will be necessary to confirm this preventive effect of hydrocortisone on coronary in-stent restenosis.     

Comparison of directional coronary atherectomy and stenting versus stenting alone for the treatment of de novo and restenotic coronary artery narrowing

Late lumen loss after directional coronary atherectomy (DCA) is mainly determined by arterial remodeling. We hypothesized that stent implantation after optimal lesion debulking could be an effective approach to reduce restenosis. A total of 753 patients with de novo or restenotic coronary lesions were prospectively randomized to DCA plus stenting (n = 381) or stenting alone (n = 372). The patients were followed for 12 months. Procedural success was achieved in 91.5% versus 97.3% (p = 0.0007) of patients treated with DCA plus stent versus stent alone. Optimal atherectomy (<20% residual stenosis) was achieved in 26.5% of patients. The final minimal luminal diameter and the acute gain were similar in the 2 groups. There was no increase in 30-day major adverse cardiac events in the DCA plus stent group (3.9% vs 2.4%, p = 0.30). The primary end point, angiographic restenosis at 8 months, occurred in 26.7% of patients treated with DCA plus stents and in 22.1% of patients treated with stents alone (p = 0.237). Clinical follow-up to 1 year showed no difference in mortality (1.3% vs 0.8%, p = 0.725), acute myocardial infarction (4.2% vs 3.5%, p = 0.706), and target vessel failure (composite of death, Q-wave myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization) (23.9% vs 21.5%, p = 0.487) between patients with DCA plus stents and those with stents alone. This study failed to support the hypothesis that DCA before stenting lowers the angiographic restenosis rate compared with stents alone. At 12-month follow-up, there were no significant differences between the 2 groups in rates of death, reinfarction, or target vessel failure.