Recently published data have shown more favorable results at 1 year for
the Genous Stent, including the composite primary endpoint of cardiac death, MI
or target lesion revascularization, compared with the bare metal stent.
The Genous Stent (OrbusNeich) features a patented endothelial progenitor
cell (EPC) capture technology that, according to a press release, promotes the
accelerated natural healing of the vessel wall after stent implantation. This
technology, the release stated, consists of an antibody surface coating that
attracts EPCs circulating in the blood to the device, forming an endothelial
layer that provides protection against thrombosis and modulates restenosis. The
stent, released to the market in 2005, is now commercially available in more
than 60 countries.
The Genous Stent is a first-of-its kind technology. It uses a
pro-healing mechanism that recruits the patients own recuperative
abilities to control the healing response following stent implantation,
Stephen Rowland, PhD, vice president of research and development for
OrbusNeich, said in an interview. Company-sponsored clinical studies have
demonstrated the technology to have utility and application for patients that
cannot tolerate prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy or for indications where
the current technology is not effective or safety is a concern, such as [acute
coronary syndrome], diabetes and for the elderly, in addition to its benefit on
bifurcation lesions.
 The OrbusNeich stent contains
technology that, according to the manufacturer, accelerates the affected
vessels natural healing process.
Source: OrbusNeich |
In early December, the benefit on bifurcation lesions was documented in
an online study published in Atherosclerosis. In the study, 178
consecutive patients with a de novo bifurcation lesion were treated with an EPC
capturing stent, whereas 465 consecutive patients were treated with an
equivalent bare metal stent. At 1 year, the cumulative primary endpoint of
cardiac death, MI or target lesion revascularization was 12.4% in the EPC
capturing stent group vs. 17.2% in the bare metal stent group (HR=0.70; 95% CI,
0.44-1.12).
What we saw with our approach with the Genous EPC capturing stent
is that the clinical outcome is quite good, Robbert J. de Winter,
MD, professor of clinical cardiology, Academic Medical Center, University
of Amsterdam, and investigator on the study, told Cardiology
Today. What it confirms is that, in many instances, a single stent
approach for bifurcated lesions is the correct approach. In the majority of
cases, just one single stent in the main vessel is sufficient. This has also
been confirmed in randomized studies involving bare metal stents and
drug-eluting stents.
One of the reasons de Winter prefers working with this stent in clinical
practice is that the design is such that access to side branches is
good, he said. This particular stent design is nice because you can
open up the cells to the side branch to a large diameter, so in most of the
cases, we are successful in opening up the side branch and keeping it
open. by Brian Ellis
For more information:
- Beijk M. Atherosclerosis. 2010;213:525-531.
Disclosure: Dr. de Winter reports no relevant financial
disclosures.