Abstract

Background: The Intek-Apollo stent (Switzerland) employs a polysulfone polymer coating which has demonstrated low interaction with blood and high thrombo-resistance. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical and angiographic outcomes after Intek-Apollo stent utilisation in a real-world setting.
Material/Methods: A total of 130 patients (77.7% males) were enrolled with 174 lesions in native coronary arteries (92.4%), saphenous vein grafts (7.5%) and in-stent restenosis (6.3%). Indications for stenting were stable coronary artery disease (CAD) 52.3%, acute coronary syndrome (ACS) 37.7% and STEMI 10%. Clinical follow-up and coronary angiography (after symptoms occurrence or positive stress test) was performed at 6 and 12 months.The primary end points were target lesion revascularization (TLR) and target vessel revascularization (TVR), while secondary end points were major adverse cardiac events (MACE) during the follow-up period.
Results: The mean age of patients included was 61.62±11.13 years. Complex lesions treatment (ostial, bifurcation) reached 13.7%. Mean stenosis diameter was 83.52±10.5%. Reference vessel diameter was 2.85±0.39 mm with a mean lesion length of 14.66±4.5mm. Average stent size was 2.93±0.39mm × 16.6±4.73 mm. At 15±3 months, primary events includedTLR (4.6%), TVR (4.6%) and MACE (2.3%). There was 1one myocardial infarction and no cardiac death). No incidence of early or late stent thrombosis was demonstrated.
Conclusions: Intek-Apollo stent implantation is safe and efficient in a real world population. The unique properties of polysulfone polymer coating can effectively protect from late stent thrombosis and lead to reduced rates of TLR, TVR and MACE.

Keywords: Paclitaxel - therapeutic use, Myocardial Infarction - radiography, Follow-Up Studies, drug-eluting stents, Coronary Vessels - pathology, Coronary Disease - radiography, Coronary Artery Disease - therapy, Coronary Angiography - adverse effects, Coated Materials, Biocompatible - therapeutic use, Polymers - therapeutic use, Registries, Sulfones - therapeutic use, Time Factors