BACKGROUNDThere are few evidences about the value of drug eluting stent in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We prospectively designed a randomized controlled trial to compare the safety and efficacy of Firebird sirolimus eluting stent (Firebird stent) and bare metal stent (BMS).

METHODSPatients with STEMI enrolled during one year period were randomized to undergo implantation of Firebird stent or BMS, and clinical and angiographic follow-up. The primary endpoint of the present study was in-lesion late lumen loss (LLL) at 6 months, and secondary endpoint includes stent thrombosis and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at 6 months.

RESULTSDuring one year period, 156 patients were randomized into the Firebird stent group (101 patients with an average age of 57.8 years) or the BMS group (55 patients with 59.7 years on average). Six-month angiographic follow-up was available in 66.3% and 63.7% of patients assigned to Firebird stent and BMS, respectively. At 6-month follow-up, mortality, target vessel revascularization (TVR) and MACE were 2.0%, 6.9% and 9.9% in the Firebird stent group, while 3.6%, 30.9% and 36.4% in the BMS group (P < 0.05). Subacute thrombosis occurred in 1 patient in both groups, respectively. The mean LLL was 0.18 mm in the Firebird stent group versus 0.72 mm in the BMS group.

CONCLUSIONImplantation of Firebird sirolimus eluting stent for STEMI may greatly reduce TVR and MACE at 6 months with low incidence of acute/subacute stent thrombosis compared with BMS.