Medtronic's bifurcation stent starts human trial
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
A drug-eluting bifurcation stent could be on the horizon. Medtronic has initiated the first human trial of a non-drug-coated branched stent, results of which will determine whether it will begin developing a drug-eluting version. The safety and deliverability of the stent is being assessed in a 60-patient study called BRANCH, based in Australia and New Zealand. Primary endpoints include cardiac death, myocardial infarction involving the target vessel, and target vessel revascularisation (TVR) 30 days post-implant. Patient enrolment is expected to be complete by the end of 2008, with results available early in 2009.