MIAMI, July 27 /PRNewswire/ - The CYPHER(R) Sirolimus-eluting Coronary Stent is more cost-effective than the Taxus Stent for treating patients at high risk of artery re-blockage, according to a German study published in the July 18 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. The study found that use of the CYPHER(R) Stent was associated with similar in-hospital costs but significantly lower total costs at 9 to 12 months compared to Taxus.
"While health care costs and reimbursement rates vary between countries, these data from Germany suggest that the overall total cost differences after 9 to 12 months between the CYPHER(R) Stent and Taxus are significant and these cost differences are mainly due to the clinical benefits of the CYPHER(R) Stent in reducing the need for a repeat procedure," said Adnan Kastrati, M.D., senior author of the study and an interventional cardiologist at Deutsches Herzzentrum and First Medizinische Klinik rechts der Isar, Technische Universitat, in Munich, Germany. "This cost analysis shows that the CYPHER(R) Stent carries a greater potential for the reduction of the overall health insurance costs of treating patients who are prone to experience re-blockage."
This cost analysis is the first study to comparatively evaluate the relationship between the clinical effectiveness and subsequent treatment costs of the CYPHER(R) Stent and the Taxus Stent. It examined data from 450 patients who participated in two randomized clinical trials conducted in Germany: ISAR-DESIRE (Intracoronary Stenting and Angiographic Results: Drug-eluting Stents for In-Stent Restenosis) and ISAR-DIABETES (Intracoronary Stenting and Angiographic Results: Do Diabetic Patients Derive Similar Benefit from Paclitaxel-eluting and Sirolimus-eluting Stents?). The patients analyzed included those with diabetes and in-stent restenosis (re-blockage). People with diabetes are considered at high-risk for re-blockage.
While the initial hospital costs of the CYPHER(R) Stent and Taxus Stent were similar, the CYPHER(R) Stent was found to be significantly more cost- effective when follow-up and total costs were considered. Specifically, costs (in Euros) were as follows:
Costs CYPHER(R) Stent Taxus Stent p Value Initial Costs 6,240 +/- 2,202 6,377 +/- 2,374 0.53 Follow-up Costs 2,684 +/- 2,072 4,527 +/- 6,466 <0.001 Total Costs 8,924 +/- 3,077 10,903 +/1 7,205 <0.001
The cost-savings of the CYPHER(R) Stent were attributed to its enhanced clinical effectiveness over the Taxus Stent. According to the data in ISAR-DESIRE and ISAR-DIABETES, patients receiving the CYPHER(R) Stent were less likely to require repeat procedures, also known as target lesion revascularization or TLR, in comparison to the Taxus Stent (7.1 percent for the CYPHER Stent vs. 15.1 percent for the Taxus Stent; p=0.01).
"Societies are struggling to find ways to reduce the economic burden of cardiovascular disease while still providing the best possible treatment," said Brian Firth, M.D., Ph.D, Vice President, Medical Affairs and Health Economics Worldwide, Cordis Corporation. "This analysis indicates that it is important for society not just to look at the initial cost of a device or procedure but also the follow-up costs and clinical benefits to determine the true value of an innovative technology like the CYPHER(R) Stent."
About the CYPHER(R) Stent
The CYPHER(R) Stent has been chosen by cardiologists worldwide to treat more than 2 million patients with coronary artery disease. The safety and efficacy of the device is supported by a robust clinical trial program that includes more than 40 studies, inclusive of independent clinical trials, that examine the performance of the CYPHER(R) Stent in a broad range of patients. Developed and manufactured by Cordis Corporation, the CYPHER(R) Stent is currently available in more than 80 countries and has the longest-term clinical follow-up of any drug-eluting stent. The first next generation drug- eluting stent, the CYPHER SELECT(TM) Sirolimus-eluting Coronary Stent, was launched in Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Canada in 2003.
In June 2006, CYPHER SELECT(TM) Plus became the first third-generation drug-eluting stent to receive CE (Communite European) Mark approval.
More information about the CYPHER(R) Stent can be found at www.cypherusa.com.
About Cordis Corporation
Cordis Corporation, a Johnson & Johnson company, is a worldwide leader in developing and manufacturing interventional vascular technology. Through the company's innovation, research and development, physicians worldwide are better able to treat the millions of patients who suffer from vascular disease.
* Cordis Corporation has entered into an exclusive worldwide license with Wyeth for the localized delivery of sirolimus in certain fields of use, including delivery via vascular stenting. Sirolimus, the active drug released for the stent, is marketed by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, a division of Wyeth, under the name Rapamune(R). Rapamune is a trademark of Wyeth Pharmaceuticals.
Cordis CorporationCONTACT: Mariela Melendez, Cordis Cardiology of Cordis Corporation,office, +1-786-313-2776, mobile, +1-786-218-4084, mmelen10@crdus.jnj.com;or Todd Ringler of Edelman, office, +1-212-704-4572, mobile,+1-617-872-1235, todd.ringler@edelman.com
