Stent implantation versus balloon angioplasty in chronic coronary occlusions: results from the GISSOC trial. Gruppo Italiano di Studio sullo Stent nelle Occlusioni Coronariche.
OBJECTIVE
In this multicenter, randomized trial we evaluated whether stent implantation after successful recanalization of a chronic coronary occlusion reduced the incidence of restenosis.


BACKGROUND
Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in chronic total occlusions is associated with a higher rate of angiographic restenosis and reocclusion than PTCA in subtotal stenoses. Preliminary reports have suggested a decreased restenosis rate after stent implantation in coronary total occlusions.


METHODS
We randomly assigned 110 patients with recanalized total occlusion to Palmaz-Schatz stent implantation, followed by 1 month of anticoagulant therapy versus no other treatment. The primary end point was the minimal lumen diameter (MLD) of the treated segment at follow-up, as determined by quantitative angiography at a core laboratory.


RESULTS
Repeat coronary angiography was performed 9 months after the procedure in 88% of patients. The MLD (mean +/- SD) at follow-up was 1.74 +/- 0.88 mm in patients assigned to stent implantation and 0.85 +/- .75 mm in patients assigned to PTCA (p < 0.001). Stent implantation was associated with a lower incidence of restenosis (defined as diameter stenosis > or =50% at follow-up) (32% vs. 68%, p < 0.001) and reocclusion (8% vs. 34%, p = 0.003) than balloon PTCA. Likewise, stent-treated patients had less recurrent ischemia (14% vs. 46%, p = 0.002) and target lesion revascularization (5.3% vs. 22%, p = 0.038), but experienced a longer hospital stay.


CONCLUSIONS
Palmaz-Schatz stent implantation after successful balloon PTCA of chronic total occlusions improves the midterm angiographic and clinical outcome and could be the preferred treatment option in selected patients with occluded vessels.
Ospedale San Martino, Genoa, Italy. prubartelli@smartino.ge.it
P
P
Rubartelli
L
L
Niccoli
E
E
Verna
C
C
Giachero
M
M
Zimarino
A
A
Fontanelli
C
C
Vassanelli
L
L
Campolo
E
E
Martuscelli
G
G
Tommasini
D000328:Adult; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003326:Coronary Circulation / Q000187:drug effects; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012008:Recurrence; D019233:Retreatment; D015607:Stents
D000925:Anticoagulants