NYPH Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery to participate in landmark drug-eluting stent trial NNew York Presbyterian is one of only 80 sites around the world that will participate in the first trial to test whether drug-eluting stents can benefit patients who suffer from peripheral arterial disease (PAD). PAD affects 10 million Americans. Often undiagnosed, the disease restricts circulation in blood vessels that supply oxygen rich blood to areas of the body, such as the legs and feet.

The Zilver® PTX™ Drug-Eluting Stent Trial is designed to determine the safety and effectiveness of the Zilver® PTX™ Drug-Eluting Stent in treating above-the-knee blockages of the femoropopliteal artery. The pivotal trial is underway in the United States and will enroll 420 patients who will be randomized to receive either the Zilver® PTX™ Drug-Eluting Stent or balloon angioplasty.

The Zilver® PTX™ Drug-Eluting Stent, is coated with paclitaxel, a drug derived from the Pacific yew tree that has been used successfully to reduce the risk of renarrowing of arteries. In many cases, PAD patients who have been treated with balloon angioplasty and stenting experience restenosis over time and must undergo more invasive treatment, such as bypass surgery, to re-open the arteries. The ZilverŪ PTX™ Drug-Eluting Stent Trial will test whether the combination of the stent and paclitaxel will keep those arteries open over time. For more information about the trial please contact one of our research coordinators: dsc6@columbia.edu or emm2010@med.cornell.edu.