SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Primary stenting was performed using SES in 74 patients (mean age: 58.0±12.7 years, 59 males) and BMS in 88 patients (mean age: 59.3±10.7 years, 63 males) between April 2003 and July 2004. We retrospectively compared the incidence of 6-month angiographic restenosis and the major adverse cardiac events (MACE) defined as cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction and target lesion revascularization (TLR), between the SES group and the BMS group.

RESULTS: The SES group had smaller vessels (3.04±0.47 mm vs. 3.24±0.56 mm, respectively, p=0.02) and a longer stent length (33.7±14.3 mm vs. 25.0±9.6 mm, p=0.00). The procedural success rate (87.8% vs. 92.0%, respectively, p=0.37) and the peak creatine kinase-MB (239±196 ng/mL vs. 274±188 ng/mL, p=0.26) were similar. The 6-month angiographic restenosis rate (0.0% vs. 30.4%, respectively, p=0.00) and late loss (-0.03±0.55 mm vs. 1.28±0.58 mm, p=0.00) were significantly lower in the SES group compared with the BMS group. Stent thrombosis developed in only 1 case of the SES group (1.4% vs. 0.0%, respectively, p=0.45). At 6 months, SES implantation significantly reduced the incidence of MACE (6.9% vs. 19.5%, respectively, p=0.04), because of a reduction in the incidence of TLR (1.4% vs. 11.5%, p=0.01). Likewise, the MACE-free survival rate was significantly higher in the SES group (93.06% vs. 80.46%, respectively, p=0.03).

CONCLUSION: Compared with the BMS, the SES was effective in reducing the incidence of 6-month angiographic restenosis and MACE without any increased risk of stent thrombosis in the patients with STEMI who received primary stenting.