May 15th, 2012
Xience Stents Gain European Nod for 3-Month Dual Antiplatelet Therapy
Larry Husten, PHD
The biggest drawback to drug-eluting stents has been the requirement for prolonged dual antiplatelet (DAPT) therapy following stent implantation to prevent stent thrombosis and other potential complications. The precise length of DAPT has been the subject of considerable discussion and research.
Now the Xience Prime and Xience V everolimus-eluting stents have received the CE Mark in Europe for a DAPT length of at least 3 months, according to the manufacturer’s press release. The manufacturer, Abbott, said this was the “shortest duration for any major drug eluting stent (DES) in Europe.”
Abbott said that data presented this week at the EuroPCR congress found no cases of stent thrombosis in more than 10,000 patients who received a Xience stent and who discontinued DAPT after 3 months.
An Abbott spokesperson said that the company is “currently exploring our filing strategies with the FDA for a three-month DAPT indication.”
Good news!!