Drug eluting stents: managing coronary artery stenosis following PTCA.

Drug eluting stents (DES) release drugs that inhibit tissue growth in narrowed coronary arteries in an effort to prevent restenosis, a renarrowing of the artery. Several types of DES are under investigation in clinical trials; however, none are currently approved for use in Canada. Preliminary trial data are encouraging, demonstrating greater lumen diameter and reduced restenosis with DES versus uncoated stents. If DES prove to be more effective than uncoated stents in the treatment and/or prevention of restenosis, this technology may diffuse rapidly. The total health care costs, including the cost of the stents, post-intervention therapy and possible re-intervention costs, will require assessment to determine the ultimate impact of DES.