Novel drug-delivery stent : Intravascular ultrasound observations from the first human experience with the QP2-eluting polymer stent system

• Published in: Circulation (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2001-07, Vol.104 (4), p.380-383
• Main Authors: HONDA, Yasuhiro, GRUBE, Eberhard, DE LA FUENTE, Luis M, YOCK, Paul G, STERTZER, Simon H, FITZGERALD, Peter J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Bridged-Ring Compounds - pharmacology; Coronary Disease - drug therapy; Coronary Disease - pathology; Coronary Vessels - diagnostic imaging; Coronary Vessels - pathology; Diseases of the cardiovascular system; Drug Delivery Systems - instrumentation; Drug Delivery Systems - methods; Female; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Pilot Projects; Polymers; Radiotherapy. Instrumental treatment. Physiotherapy. Reeducation. Rehabilitation, orthophony, crenotherapy. Diet therapy and various other treatments (general aspects); Stents; Tunica Intima - drug effects; Tunica Intima - pathology; Ultrasonography, Interventional
• ISSN: 0009-7322; 1524-4539
• DOI: 10.1161/hc2901.094149

The aim of this study was to use serial intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) to evaluate the long-term effect of stent-based 7-hexanoyltaxol (QP2, a taxane analogue) delivery on neointimal tissue growth within the stent and on vessel dimensions at the adjacent reference segments. Serial IVUS analyses (immediately after intervention and at follow-up at 8.3 months) were performed in 15 native coronary lesions treated with the QuaDS-QP2 stent. IVUS measurements were performed at 8 cross-sections in each target segment (4 cross-sections within the stent and 2 cross-sections in each reference segment). At baseline, no significant plaque protrusion or thrombus was detected in the target segment. Mild incomplete stent apposition and edge dissection were observed in one and two cases, respectively. Percent expansion of the stent (minimum stent area/average reference lumen area) was 96.0+/-21.7%. At follow-up, mean neointimal area within the stent was 1.2+/-1.3 mm(2), and mean cross-sectional narrowing (neointimal area/stent area) was 13.6+/-14.9%. At the vessel segments immediately adjacent to the stent, a significant increase in plaque area (1.9+/-2.6 mm(2), P=0.001) was observed, but vessel area remained unchanged. However, no patients showed clinically significant in-stent or edge restenosis (diameter stenosis >/=50%) during the follow-up period. The first human experience with the new drug-delivery stent showed a minimal amount of neointimal proliferation in the stented segment. Late lumen loss at the reference sites adjacent to the stent was acceptable and predominantly due to plaque proliferation.