Comparable effectiveness observed between platinum chromium and stainless steel stents

Kereiakes D. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2010;56:264-271.

A platinum chromium alloy stent proved to be equally efficacious and safe when compared with a stainless steel stent, according to results from the PERSEUS WH randomized controlled study.

“The PERSEUS WH trial provides the necessary assurance of safety and relative efficacy of the novel platinum chromium Taxus Element paclitaxel-eluting stent (Boston Scientific) platform, demonstrating noninferiority to the Taxus Express paclitaxel-eluting stent (Boston Scientific) with respect to the incidence of target lesion failure at 12 months and the severity of residual angiographic stenosis at 9 months,” the researchers reported.

They attained these results through the intent-to-treat analysis of 1,262 patients who were either treated with a stainless steel stent (Express; n=320) or a platinum chromium stent (Element; n=942). Patients had de novo coronary atherosclerotic lesions with a length ≤28 mm in reference vessels ≥2.75 m to ≤4 mm in diameter. The primary endpoint was the 12-month rate of target lesion failure, whereas the secondary endpoint was the 9-month angiographic in-segment percentage diameter stenosis.

The platinum chromium stent was noninferior to the stainless steel stent in regards to the incidence of target lesion failure (platinum chromium, 5.57% vs. stainless steel, 6.14%) and diameter stenosis (platinum chromium, 3.09% vs. stainless steel, 3.12%). Researchers also reported no differences in clinical outcomes at 12 months between stent groups, as well as infrequent stent thrombosis (stainless steel, 0.3% vs. platinum chromium, 0.4%).

“No safety concerns regarding either the novel metal alloy or modified stent design were observed,” the researchers said. “The PERSEUS WH trial demonstrates successful transfer of paclitaxel-eluting stent technology from stainless steel to a platinum chromium alloy platform.”

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