Biodegradable Polymer DES Versus Durable Polymer Everolimus-eluting Stents for Patients Undergoing PCI: A Meta-analysis

Background Everolimus-eluting stents are associated with low risk of stent thrombosis and stent restenosis, and the new generation of stents with biodegradable polymer were designed to reduce that risk. However, the benefits have been variable. Methods and results Four RCTs with a total of 8282 patients were included. Overall, BP-DES was not inferior to EES with equivalent risk of TVR (relative risk [RR], 1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.91–1.27; P =0.414; I 2 =0.0%) and ARC definite and/or probable ST (RR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.66–1.70; P =0.810; I 2 =4.8%). Furthermore, there was no difference in all-cause mortality (RR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.84–1.33; P =0.651; I 2 =0.0%), myocardial infarction (RR, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.88–1.44; P =0.360; I 2 =0.0%), and MACE (RR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.87–1.15; P =0.975; I 2 =0.0%) between the two groups. Conclusions The new generation of biodegradable polymer stents were not inferior to EES for equivalent risk of MACE and ST.