Mobilization of progenitor cells and vessel healing after implantation of SYNERGY in acute coronary syndrome

This study was aimed to compare the vascular healing process of a SYNERGY stent with that of a PROMUS PREMIER stent in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). In 71 patients with ACS, undergoing coronary stent implantation using the SYNERGY stent (n = 52) or PROMUS PREMIER stent (n = 19), we measured circulating CD34+/CD133+/CD45(null) cells and CD34+/KDR+ cells and observed vascular healing at the stented sites using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and coronary angioscopy. On the day 7, circulating CD34+/CD133+/CD45(null) cells increased in SYNERGY group (P < 0.0001), while it did not change in PROMUS group. The CD34+/KDR+ cells also increased in SYNERGY group (P < 0.0001) but less significantly in the PROMUS group (P < 0.05). The OCT-based neointimal thickness (P < 0.0005) and neointimal coverage rate (P < 0.05) at 12 months were greater in SYNERGY group, compared with PROMUS group. The coronary angioscopy-based neointimal coverage grade at 12 months was also greater in SYNERGY group (P < 0.001). In overall patients, the change in CD34+/KDR+ cells on the day 7 correlated with the OCT-based neointimal thickness at 12 months (R = 0.288, P < 0.05). SYNERGY stent seems to have potential advantages over PROMUS PREMIER stent for ACS patients in terms of vascular healing process at the stented sites.