Paclitaxel-Eluting or Sirolimus-Eluting Stents to Prevent Restenosis in Diabetic Patients

Drug-eluting coronary-artery stents are more effective than bare-metal stents in reducing the frequency of coronary restenosis in patients with diabetes. In a randomized, controlled trial in patients with diabetes, the sirolimus-eluting stent was associated with a smaller extent of late luminal loss than was the paclitaxel-eluting stent, suggesting that the risk of restenosis was also reduced. In patients with diabetes, the sirolimus-eluting stent was associated with a smaller extent of late luminal loss than was the paclitaxel-eluting stent, suggesting that the risk of restenosis was also reduced. Coronary artery disease is a major cause of complications and death among patients with diabetes mellitus. 1 In particular, patients with diabetes are prone to a diffuse and rapidly progressive form of atherosclerosis, which increases their likelihood of requiring revascularization. 2 – 4 Percutaneous coronary intervention and aortocoronary bypass surgery are recommended revascularization strategies for such patients. However, because of the increased risk of restenosis after percutaneous coronary interventions in these patients, 5 – 7 aortocoronary bypass surgery has been considered to be the preferred revascularization strategy for many. 8 , 9 Drug-eluting stents markedly reduce the incidence of restenosis as compared with bare-metal stents, both in . . .