New cost-effectiveness analysis supports limits
on the use of drug-eluting stents
November 12, 2006
A cost-effectiveness analysis suggests that restricting the use of drug-eluting stents (DES) is prudent. In the analysis, the substitution of DES for bare metal stents appears to be cost-effective only when the target vessel revascularization (TVR) rate with bare metal stents is high, which is typically the case in small vessels and longer stenoses, said Sanjay Kaul, MD, MPH.