Further insights into coronary debulking: the EUROCARE trial of directional atherectomy and the PACT trial of pullback atherectomy.
Although the principle of reducing plaque load in the coronary artery remains very appealing, clinical benefit from debulking devices has not been demonstrated unequivocally. Other approaches to prevent restenosis had been the application of various pharmacological agents. Unfortunately, the majority of clinical studies have not reproduced the promising results observed in the experimental laboratories. New frontiers in improving atherectomy devices and in optimizing concomitant medical treatment are currently being explored. We report on the EUROCARE trial investigating the possible benefit of carvedilol after coronary atherectomy, and the Pullback Atherectomy (PAC) pilot trial using a novel atherectomy device.
Thury
A
A
Department of Interventional Cardiology, Thoraxcenter, University Hospital Dijzigt, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Van Langenhove
G
G
Wardeh
A J
AJ
Foley
D P
DP
Serruys
P W
PW
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017225:Atherectomy, Coronary / Q000295:instrumentation; D002227:Carbazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077261:Carvedilol; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D011412:Propanolamines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000975:Antioxidants; D002227:Carbazoles; D011412:Propanolamines; D000077261:Carvedilol