Bioresorbable vascular scaffolds in patients with acute coronary syndromes : the POLAR ACS study

INTRODUCTION The results of the ABSORB trial showed the efficacy and safety of bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS) and their unique advantage, namely, the restoration of vasomotion after full biodegradation.

OBJECTIVES The aim of the registry was to evaluate procedural issues, angiographic results, and clinical outcomes of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) treated with BVS implantation. 

PATIENTS AND METHODS The study included 100 patients. Cohort 1 comprised 46 patients with unstable angina; cohort 2, 38 patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction; and cohort 3, 16 patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. 

RESULTS Predilation was performed in 93% of the patients. The final Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) 3 flow was achieved in 99% of the patients. In all patients, BVS was successfully implanted. In 81% of the patients, postdilation was performed with a balloon catheter with the same diameter as BVS; in 11%, with a balloon catheter with a diameter of 0.25 mm larger than BVS; and in 7%, with a balloon catheter with a diameter of 0.5 mm larger than BVS. We observed no no-reflow phenomenon, 1 distal embolization, and 2 slow-flow phenomena. Two major adverse cardiac events were reported, namely, periprocedural myocardial infarction in 2 patients. During 1-year follow-up, we observed only 1 additional myocardial infarction caused by stent thrombosis as well as 1 target lesion revascularization. 

CONCLUSIONS In our study, BVS in patients with ACS showed to be a safe and effective procedure.