Biotech Values

[DewDiligence]

Re: Late stent thrombosis / DES vs BMS

>This is already a common, similar strategy among cardiologists. When faced with a patient who is likely to not be able to tolerate Plavix for 6 months, the BMS often is chosen.<

The problem is that six months of Plavix is not nearly enough for Cypher and Taxus. In the meta-analysis posted by Aslan (#msg-15311789), the median time of late thrombosis was 15.5 months for Cypher and 18 months for Taxus.

The real question for Plavix use by Cypher and Taxus recipients is not 3 months (the label) vs 6 months, but rather how many years of treatment are sufficient.