The effect of drug-eluting stents on intermediate angiographic and clinical outcomes in diabetic patients: Insights from randomized clinical trials

Objective: Implantation of drug-eluting stents has emerged as the predominant percutaneous revascularization strategy in diabetic patients, despite limited outcomes data. Accordingly, our aim was to conduct a meta-analysis to assess the benefit and safety profile of drug-eluting stents in diabetic patients. Methods: We included randomized trials comparing either the paclitaxel- or sirolimus-eluting stent with a bare-metal stent or with each other in diabetic patients during a follow-up of at least 6 months. Results: A total of 16 studies were identified, which included 2951 diabetic patients who were followed up for 6 to 12 months. Target lesion revascularization was less frequently performed in patients who received drug-eluting stents compared with bare-metal stents (risk ratio [RR] 0.35, 95% CI 0.27-0.46, P < .0001). Similar reductions were noted in the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (RR 0.42, 95% CI 0.31-0.56, P < .0001), in-segment restenosis (RR 0.31, 95% CI 0.25-0.40, P < .0001), and non-Q-wave myocardial infarction (RR 0.57, 95% CI 0.32-0.99, P = .046). Event rates were similar for Q-wave myocardial infarction (RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.25-2.07, P = .54), death (RR 0.64, 95% CI 0.32-1.28, P = .20), and stent thrombosis (RR 0.41, 95% CI 0.13-1.27, P = .12). Conclusions: In conclusion, diabetic patients who receive drug-eluting stents have a significantly lower incidence of target lesion revascularization, in-segment restenosis and myocardial infarction at 6 to 12 months, compared with bare-metal stents. The rates of mortality and stent thrombosis are similar.