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Uncoated stents –These were the first heart stents, also known as bare metal stents (BMS). These stents improve the outcomes of angioplasty procedures, by reducing the need for re-intervention in the treated area of the artery.
Drug-coated stents – Drug-coated, or “drug-eluting” stents (DES) are designed to control the release of a medicine into surrounding tissue in an artery. The action of this medicine is intended to limit the overgrowth of natural tissue as the healing process occurs following the placement of the stent.
The CYPHER® Stent contains sirolimus, a unique anti-rejection-type medicine. Sirolimus limits the overgrowth of cells that can cause re-blockage of the treated area in the artery (restenosis), significantly reducing the chance that you may need another procedure. The difference between a CYPHER® Stent and a bare metal stent is seen within months of the procedure. In fact, a key trial showing the efficacy of the CYPHER® Stent found that up to 5 years after receiving a CYPHER® Stent, the risk of re-blockage in the treated part of the artery is about 10%, compared to about 26% for an uncoated stent.
There are benefits and risks associated with each type of stent. Talk with your doctor about what kind of stent may be most effective for you. |