Implanted EE-BRS devices were the bioresorbable polymer drug-eluting scaffold ABSORB BVS system and the ABSORB GT1 system (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, CA, USA). Both devices are composed of poly-L-lactic acid with a strut thickness of 150 µm, covered by a polymer coating of poly-DL-lactic-acid that elutes everolimus. EE-BRS are expected to be completely resorbed within 3 years [12 (link)]. The available scaffold diameters ranged from 2.50 to 3.50 mm with lengths of 8–28 mm. The durable fluoropolymer-coated Xience V EES (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, CA, USA) is a cobalt-chromium EES with a strut thickness of 81 µm; it was available in diameters from 2.25 to 4.00 mm with lengths of 8 to 28 mm. The strut thickness, polymer coating, eluted drug and available stent diameters of the platinum-chromium-based Promus Element EES (Boston Scientific, Natick, MA, USA) were the same as for Xience V EES; the available stent length ranged from of 8 to 38 mm.
Angiographic success was defined as a < 50% residual stenosis of the target lesion after successful device implantation, as visually assessed. Procedural success was defined as angiographic success without occurrence of any adverse cardiac event during index hospitalization. In general, dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) was prescribed for 12 months after PCI, reflecting contemporary international guideline recommendations.
Angiographic success was defined as a < 50% residual stenosis of the target lesion after successful device implantation, as visually assessed. Procedural success was defined as angiographic success without occurrence of any adverse cardiac event during index hospitalization. In general, dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) was prescribed for 12 months after PCI, reflecting contemporary international guideline recommendations.