Medscape Conference Coverage, based on selected sessions at:

TCT 2007: Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics

October 20 - 25, 2007; Washington, DC

This activity is not sanctioned by, nor a part of, the Cardiovascular Research Foundation.

Conference News

One Stent Still Better Than Two for Bifurcation Stenting

New studies suggest that despite the artistry and creativity that's gone into devising techniques to stent a branching, diseased vessel, a single-stent approach is likely still the best bet for bifurcations.
Heartwire, November 1, 2007
TAXUS Landmark Analysis: No Clear Answers on Clopidogrel Duration; Interventionalists "Reassured" by Follow-Up DES Studies

A landmark analysis from more than 2000 patients suggests that rates of adverse events are not statistically lower in patients who were still taking a thienopyridine at one year, as compared with patients who weren't. Other registry and trial follow-up studies point to no statistically significant differences in adverse events for DES-treated patients.
Heartwire, October 31, 2007
Nine-Month Results for NOBORI 1 Trial Point to Early Safety, Efficacy--Comparable to Taxus Liberté

The Nobori stent, featuring a bioresorbable polymer and biolimus A9, was associated with significantly less in-stent late loss than the Taxus, but one expert points out that this difference may not be clinically meaningful. Moreover, longer follow-up is needed to see whether a disappearing polymer translates into better safety.
Heartwire, October 30, 2007
Co-PI of MIST Trial Alleges Data Mismanagement, Misinformation

Rumblings about the conduct and conclusions of the MIST I trial are building, spurred in part by Dr Peter Wilmshurst and by other PFO-closure specialists. Wilmshurst alleges that trial sponsor NMT has forced him out of ongoing studies, blocked his attempts to view the complete MIST data set, and lied about whether MIST echocardiograms have been independently reviewed.
Heartwire, October 29, 2007
AMIHOT II Breathes New Life Into Supersaturated Oxygen Strategy Post-PCI

Infusing blood that's been supersaturated with oxygen into myocardial infarct sites post-PCI appears to significantly reduce infarct size without harming the heart, the AMIHOT II trial suggests. The therapy may have a future in patients who undergo PCI within six hours of symptoms who have large anterior infarcts.
Heartwire, October 24, 2007
SPIRIT III: Durable Results at One Year for Xience V Stent

Twelve months after undergoing stent implantation, patients treated with the Xience V everolimus-eluting stent still are having fewer MACE, as compared with those treated with the market-approved Taxus paclitaxel-eluting stent, investigators say.
Heartwire, October 24, 2007
Endeavor IV Results Get Mixed Reviews: Interventionalists Prove a Tougher Crowd Than FDA Panel

Despite being billed as one of the "blockbuster" trials of the meeting, the ENDEAVOR IV nine- and 12-month results met with tepid reception, where experts appeared less convinced than a recent FDA review panel that the disappointing late loss with the Endeavor would not come back to haunt US regulators, who are expected to approve the stent in the next few months.
Heartwire, October 23, 2007
Dead, but Not Gone: EUROSTAR II Trial Shows Defunct Costar Stent Superior to Bare Metal

In a classic example of too little, too late, the now-defunct paclitaxel-eluting Costar stent--pulled off the market in May--was significantly better than its bare-metal platform stent in terms of reducing restenosis and late loss, as well as clinical end points at eight months. But experts hold out hope for its resurrection.
Heartwire, October 23, 2007
TRIAS HR: Prohealing Genous Stent Shows Promise

Investigators say the stent, which attracts endothelial progenitor cells to the stent surface to promote growth of a layer of endothelium, showed comparable safety and efficacy to the Taxus at six months.
Heartwire, October 23, 2007

Disclaimer

The materials presented here do not reflect the views of Medscape or the companies providing unrestricted educational grants. These materials may discuss uses and dosages for therapeutic products that have not been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product discussed. All readers or continuing education participants should verify all information and data before treating patients or employing any therapies described in this educational activity.

The materials presented here were prepared by independent authors under the editorial supervision of Medscape and do not represent a publication of the Cardiovascular Research Foundation. These materials and the related activity are not sanctioned by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation or the commercial supporter of the conference and do not constitute an official part of that conference.