Objective: To evaluate the short-term safety and efficacy of paclitaxel-eluting stent (TAXUS stent, Boston Scientific) in the treatment of coronary heart disease (CHD) due to coronary arteriosclerosis.
Methods: From July 2003 to November 2004, 300 consecutive patients with CHD due to coronary arteriosclerosis were admitted for selective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and paclitaxel-eluting stent implantation in the coronary arteries. The immediate effects after PCI and follow-up results were investigated.
Results: Altogether 350 lesions were treated and 355 paclitaxel-eluting stents implanted in the 300 cases. Of these lesions, 248 (70.9%) was complicated lesions of B2 type or worse, 94 (26.5%) small-caliber stents (2.50-2.75 mm) and 130 (36.6%) long stents (>20 mm) were implanted, without occurrence of severe intra-operative complications. Follow-up study of 250 cases (83.3%) lasting for 1 to 15 months was conducted, and chest pain was reported in 8 cases, 2 of which underwent coronary artery angiography and no in-stent restenosis was found. One patient developed myocardial infarction 5 months after PCI, and 2 died for non-cardiogenic factors.
Conclusion: Paclitaxel-eluting stent implantation in patients undergoing PCI is safe approach with good short-term efficacy.