Drug-eluting stents in ACS

Significant clinical benefit has been demonstrated in patients with ACS undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention with optimal medical therapy as part of an early invasive strategy. Bare-metal stents (BMS) have been shown to improve clinical outcomes compared with balloon angioplasty, but are also associated with restenosis and the need for repeat revascularization. Drug-eluting stents (DES) have subsequently been developed to reduce the occurrence of restenosis; however, there is debate about their true efficacy and long-term safety. In this review, clinical trials investigating outcomes with DES compared with BMS are discussed in the setting of ACS.