Trial of Drug Eluting Stent Versus Bare Metal Stent to Treat Coronary Artery Stenosis

Stenosis of the coronary arteries may be treated by balloon dilatation followed by the implantation of a metal stent. However, restenosis occurs in 10-20% of patients treated with bare metal stents (BMS). Restenosis and treatment of restenosis is associated with risk of myocardial infarction (MI) and death. Drug eluting stents (DES)release drugs to the vessel wall that delay or inhibit the process of restenosis. Some reports have found that DES are associated with risk of acute stent thrombosis, MI and death. The precise magnitude of this risk is not known. Current evidence is therefore insufficient to balance the long-term risk and benefit of BMS vs DES. The purpose of this trial is to compare the long-term effects on MI and total mortality of BMS vs DES. The trial will recruit 8000 patients from 8 Norwegian hospitals. The patients will be randomized to treatment with BMS or DES. Clinical events will be registered for 5 years after treatment. The study hypothesis is that there is no difference in the risk of death or myocardial infarction after treatment with BMS vs DES. The trial is initiated and run by university researchers and is sponsored by not-for-profit organizations.