Primary stenting of occluded native coronary arteries: final results of the Primary Stenting of Occluded Native Coronary Arteries (PRISON) study

Abstract

Background: Primary intracoronary stent placement after successfully crossing chronic total coronary occlusions may decrease the high restenosis rate at long-term follow-up compared with conventional balloon angioplasty.

Methods: In a prospective, randomized trial, balloon angioplasty was compared with stent implantation for the treatment of chronic total occlusions. Patients were followed for 12 months with angiographic follow-up at 6 months. Quantitative coronary analysis was performed by an independent core lab.

Results: A total of 200 patients were enrolled. Baseline characteristics were evenly distributed. After the procedure the mean minimal luminal diameter in the conventional group was 2.34 +/- 0.46 mm versus 2.90 +/- 0.41 mm in the stented group (P <.0001). The 6-month angiographic follow-up showed a mean minimal luminal diameter of 1.57 +/- 0.74 mm in the conventional group versus 1.93 +/- 0.85 mm in the stented group (P =.009) and a mean diameter stenosis of 44.7% +/- 25.0% versus 35.5% +/- 26.5% (P =.036). Binary angiographic restenosis (>50% diameter stenosis) was seen in 33% in the conventional group versus 22% in the stented group (P =.137). The reocclusion rates were 7.3% and 8.2%, respectively (P = 1.00). At 12 month follow-up, the rate of target lesion revascularization was significantly higher in the conventional group (29% versus 13%, P <.0001).

Conclusion: These data demonstrate that stenting of chronic total occlusions is superior to balloon angioplasty alone with a statistically significant reduction in the need for target lesion revascularization and a lower, but not significant, restenosis rate.