In early March the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the next generation drug-eluting stent based on findings from the TAXUS IV study. Sentara is offering the latest stent to patients— Boston Scientific’s TAXUS™ Express2™.
Only the second drug-covered stent offered in the U.S., it is a familiar design but is covered with the drug paclitaxel, which is expected to further reduce reclogging of stented arteries.
Sentara physicians are currently enrolling patients in another national trial (Taxus V), whose findings may ultimately help offer TAXUS™ Express2™ to patients with small arteries, often women and diabetics, and those patients with long blockages. Finding of this 9-month trial may be available from Boston Scientific in fall 2004.