Does stent design affect probability of restenosis? A randomized trial comparing Multilink stents with GFX stents

Abstract Background Experimental studies have revealed that stent configuration influences intimal hyperplasia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes for 2 stent designs in a randomized trial with quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) and intravascular ultrasonography (IVUS). Methods We randomly assigned 100 patients with 107 lesions and symptomatic coronary artery disease to deployment of a Multilink stent (Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Guidant, Santa Clara, Calif) or a GFX stent (Applied Vascular Engineering, Santa Rosa, Calif) with IVUS guidance. QCA and IVUS studies were performed before and after intervention and at follow-up (4.2 ± 1.0 months). Results There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics and QCA and IVUS parameters before and after intervention between the 2 groups. However, minimal lumen diameter at follow-up was significantly larger in the Multilink group (2.46 ± 0.59 vs 2.08 ± 0.79 mm, P 2 , P P =.003). In multiple stepwise logistic regression analysis, the only predictor that significantly correlated with restenosis was stent type ( P Conclusions With deployment of the GFX stent, a thicker neointima develops within the stent. Stent configuration may affect clinical outcomes. (Am Heart J 2001;142:445-51.)