Drug-eluting stents and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors: Combination therapy for the future

Background Although coronary stenting has improved the results of coronary interventions compared to coronary angioplasty alone, in-stent restenosis remains a significant limitation of this procedure. Drug-eluting stents with or without glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor therapy represent an additional advance in the evolution of this strategy. Methods We review the currently available trials comparing studies of non-drug–eluting and drug-eluting stents using sirolimus and paclitaxel agents and their derivatives. Results Ten studies are available that compare drug-eluting to traditional non-drug–eluting stents. A variety of antiplatelet regimes have been used. The majority of these studies are in the process of being published. No head-to-head studies comparing different drug-eluting stents are available. Conclusions Drug-eluting stents using sirolimus and paclitaxel in combination with enhanced antiplatelet strategies represent an important advantage over non-drug–eluting stents for the reduction of in-stent restenosis. The rate at which drug-eluting stents are adapted into widespread practice depends heavily on whether they are safe, efficacious, and cost-effective in various clinical settings.