Late Thrombosis After Double Versus Single Drug-Eluting Stent in the Treatment of Coronary Bifurcations: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized and Observational Studies

Abstract

This study sought to hypothesize that the higher risk of myocardial infarction (MI) documented after a routine double drug-eluting stent (DES) strategy (DDS) compared with a single DES strategy (SDS) with provisional stenting in percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) of bifurcation lesions is driven by an increased rate of DES thrombosis. The results of currently available randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) were inconclusive in the choice between SDS and DDS. Meta-analyses have shown an increased risk of MI in the DDS group, without identifying the underlying mechanism(s). We performed a meta-analysis of 12 major (>100 patients) studies of bifurcation DES PCI: 5 RCTs and 7 nonrandomized observational studies, for a total of 6,961 patients. Random-effects models were used to calculate summary risk ratios (RRs). As a primary endpoint, we assessed the RRs and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of definite DES thrombosis; death, MI, and target vessel revascularization (TVR) were evaluated as secondary endpoints. Compared with SDS, DDS had an increased risk of DES thrombosis (RR: 2.31; 95% CI: 1.33 to 4.03) and MI (RR: 1.86; 95% CI: 1.34 to 2.60). Mortality (RR: 1.18; 95% CI: 0.85 to 1.65) and TVR (RR: 1.02; 95% CI: 0.80 to 1.30) were similar. The RRs of MI and DES thrombosis were associated (p = 0.040). In PCI of coronary bifurcations, SDS should be the preferred approach, as DDS is associated with an increased risk of MI, likely driven by DES thrombosis.