Syntax trial

Introduction

Study characteristics:

• sponsored by the manufacturer of the Taxus drug-eluting stent
• 1800 patients with previously untreated left-main or 3-vessel disease were randomized to CABG or PCI
• either intervention was deemed feasible by a cardiologist & a surgeon

Results:

• at 1 year, incidence of the primary composite endpoint (death, stroke, myocardial infarction, or repeat revascularization) was significantly lower with CABG than with PCI (12.4% vs. 17.8%)
• CABG patients had a small but significantly higher rate of stroke (2%)
• CABG patients had an 8% lower need for revascularization procedure within 1 year

Limitations:

• only 1 year of follow-up

Related considerations:

• longer recuperation time after CABG than after stenting
• prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy with drug-eluting stents

More general terms

• clinical trial