Four types of G2-DES were successfully implanted into stable plaques (n = 41) and vulnerable plaques (n = 34): 13 and 9 Xience-everolimus-, 7 and 6 Endeavor-zotarolimus-, 15 and 9 Resolute-zotarolimus-, and 6 and 10 Nobori-biolimus-eluting stents (EES, E-ZES, R-ZES, and BES), respectively. Coronary angioscopy at 1-year follow-up revealed in-stent appearance, such as neointimal stent coverage (NSC), presence of yellow plaques (YP), and in-stent mural thrombus (MT). NSC was graded into poor and good coverage.
Yellow plaques and mural thrombi were found more frequently in the vulnerable plaques than in the stable plaques (29% vs. 12%, P = 0.06; 12 vs. 0%, P = 0.02; respectively). In EES, poor NSC was observed more frequently in the vulnerable plaques than in the stable plaques (54% vs. 11%, P = 0.04). In BES, YP was observed more frequently in the vulnerable plaques than in the stable plaques (80% vs. 17%, P = 0.01). In E-ZES and R-ZES, there were no significant differences with regards to angioscopic parameters between the stable and vulnerable plaques.
Arterial repair after EES and BES implantation into the vulnerable plaques remained vulnerable even at 1-year follow-up.