Thromboses with Drug-Eluting Stents Continue Years After Insertion

Thromboses occurred in about 1% of patients within 30 days and at a lower but steady rate for up to 3 years thereafter.

Compared with bare metal coronary stents, drug-eluting stents (DESs) are associated with lower rates of restenosis and revascularization. Stent thrombosis seems to occur equally often during the first year after insertion of drug-eluting and bare metal stents, but may be more frequent thereafter in patients with DESs. Concern about late thromboses recently led professional groups to recommend dual antiplatelet therapy for at least a year after DES insertion (Journal Watch Feb 15 2007).

To further understand the incidence of late thromboses, researchers followed 8146 consecutive patients for up to 3 years after placement of DESs at two European centers. After stenting, all patients were advised to take lifelong aspirin and at least 3 months o…

Reviewing Author

Bruce Soloway, MD