In this randomised, open-label trial, we enrolled patients older than 18 years with restenosis of at least 50 % after implantation of any limus-eluting stent at three centres in Germany between Aug 3, 2009, and Oct 27, 2011. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1:1; stratified according to centre) to receive PEB, PES, or balloon angioplasty alone by means of sealed, opaque envelopes containing a computer-generated sequence. Patients and investigators were not masked to treatment allocation, but events and angiograms were assessed by individuals who were masked. The primary endpoint was diameter stenosis at follow-up angiography at 6-8 months. Primary analysis was done by intention to treat. This trial is registered with , number .
We enrolled 402 patients, of whom 137 (34 % ) were assigned to PEB, 131 (33 % ) to PES, and 134 (33 % ) to balloon angioplasty. Follow-up angiography at 6-8 months was available for 338 (84 % ) patients. PEB was non-inferior to PES in terms of diameter stenosis (38¡¤0 % [SD 21¡¤5] vs 37¡¤4 % [21¡¤8]; difference 0¡¤6 % , one-sided 95 % CI 4¡¤9 % ; pnon-inferiority=0¡¤007; non-inferiority margin of 7 % ). Findings were consistent in per-protocol analysis (pnon-inferiority=0¡¤011). PEB and PES were superior to balloon angioplasty alone (54¡¤1 % [25¡¤0]; psuperiority<0¡¤0001 for both comparisons). Frequency of death, myocardial infarction, or target lesion thrombosis did not differ between groups.
By obviating the need for additional stent implantation, PEB could be a useful treatment for patients with restenosis after implantation of a drug-eluting stent.
Deutsches Herzzentrum.