Clinical review of the Resolute®zotarolimus-eluting stent for the treatment of coronary artery disease

Drug-eluting stents (DES) offer reduced rates of clinical and angiographic restenosis compared with bare-metal stents in patients with symptomatic coronary artery disease. Despite availability of multiple different DES, concerns remain regarding relative efficacy and long-term safety. A DES that has optimal efficacy that extends to higher risk cases – specifically to maintain low restenosis rates in patients with diabetes and in small vessels or long lesions – yet has minimal safety concerns is the goal. The Resolute® zotarolimus-eluting stent (R-ZES) is a new generation DES currently approved for use in Europe and awaiting approval in the USA. The R-ZES utilizes a novel biocompatible polymer on a cobalt–chromium stent platform in order to prolong the duration of drug elution and improve efficacy. This review will summarize the clinical data for the R-ZES in detail and discuss results in the context of the current landscape for percutaneous coronary intervention.