Xience V (TM) everolimus-eluting coronary stent

Drug-eluting stents are widely used for the treatment of coronary artery disease to reduce the risk of restenosis found with bare-metal stents. Nevertheless, there are concerns about device deliverability and safety with the initial generation of drug-eluting stents. The second-generation Xience V (TM) everolimus-eluting stent incorporates advanced design features such as a cobalt-chromium stent platform coated with an antirestenotic drug, everolimus, incorporated into a biocompatible polymer with a long history of medical use. The efficacy of the stent has been demonstrated with low rates of angiographic restenosis, whilst randomized trials comparing the Xience V everolimus-eluting stent to the first-generation Taxus (R) paclitaxel-eluting stent have found a reduction in repeat revascularization rates. Further randomized trials, including 'all-comer' patients and registries of unselected patients are currently further evaluating the efficacy and safety of the Xience V stent in high-risk, complex cases.