One year effect of rapamycin eluting stent in patients with coronary heart disease

Objective: To evaluate the long-term results of rapamycin eluting stent in patients with coronary heart disease. Methods: From Dec. 2001 to Nov. 2002, 143 patients were treated with 173 rapamycin eluting stents. Sixteen stents were implanted directly; the others were implanted with pre-dilation. Post-dilations were performed in 52 stents. All patients were administered aspirin and clopidogrel regularly before and after the procedures. Results: Procedural success rate reached 99.3% with completion of the follow-up in 138 patients averaging (12.8 ± 4.3) months. Thirteen patients have suffered with recurrent angina and 1 had acute myocardial infarction. Thirty eight patients received repetition of coronary angiography within 6 to 12 months after the procedure. Five patients showed in stent restenosis, of which 4 received target lesion revascularization. The restenosis rate was 13.2% by angiography. Conclusion: Rapamycin eluting stent can be used safety and effectively in patient with coronary heart disease, having long-term effect to reduce the restenosis rate after PCI. (authors)