FDA has been monitoring the use of drug eluting stents (DES) since they were approved for use in the United States market in 2003 (Cypher® Sirolimus-Eluting Coronary Stent) and 2004 (Taxus™ Express 2™ Paclitaxel-Eluting Coronary Stent). Recent presentations at scientific meetings have suggested a small but significant increase in the rates of: (1) death or myocardial infarction (possibly due to stent thrombosis) and (2) non-cardiac mortality in DES-treated patients compared to patients treated with bare metal stents. FDA has also been evaluating the use patterns of clopidogrel, a drug used in combination with aspirin in patients to reduce/prevent stent thrombosis in DES patients. Although the duration of clopidogrel use appeared to be adequate for the selected patient population in the original clinical trials that supported FDA approval, the optimal duration of clopidogrel in more complex patients has not been established. Though much of the current data that have raised questions regarding the safety of DES have been publicly presented at scientific meetings, relatively little has appeared in peer-reviewed publications or has been independently reviewed by FDA. Nevertheless, DES thrombosis concerns have important public health implications that warrant open an open dialogue among the DES manufacturers, investigators, physicians, and the FDA.
FDA convened this public meeting of the Circulatory System Devices Advisory Panel in an effort to fully characterize the risks, timing and incidence of DES thrombosis. The purposes of this meeting were: (1) to provide a forum for the presentation of clinical data relevant to the issue of DES thrombosis (both when DES are used according to their label and in more complex patients beyond their labeled indication) and (2) to address the appropriate duration of clopidogrel use in DES patients.
The meeting was divided into two days: day one was to discuss the use of DES in accordance with the approved labeled indications. Day two was used to discuss the broader use of DES in “real world” clinical use and to discuss the implications of using this product outside of its approved indications. Dual antiplatelet therapy administration was discussed on both days of the meeting.
Dr. Maisel called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. Geretta Wood, Director of the Advisory Committee Program, read the conflict of interest statement into the record. All members and consultants were in compliance. Based on the agenda and all financial interests reported by the Panel members and consultants, conflict of interest waivers were issued in accordance with 18 U.S.C. Section 208 (b)(3) to Drs. Robert Harrington, JoAnne Lindenfeld, Richard Page, George Vetrovec, and Clyde Yancy. The waivers allowed these individuals to participate in the deliberations. Copies of these waivers may be obtained by visiting the Agency’s website at www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/default.htm or by submitting a written request to the Agency’s Freedom of Information Office, Room 6-30 of the Parklawn Building. In addition, it was noted that Dr. Judah Weinberger no longer holds a financial interest requiring a conflict of interest waiver. A copy of this statement will be included as part of the official transcript.
FDA took the floor first and gave an in depth overview of the regulatory history of DES and a discussion of the rigorous review process applied to these products. Takahiro Uchida, M.D., Andrew Farb, M.D., Andrea Holton, Ph.D. and Hesha Duggirala, Ph.D represented the FDA. This in-depth presentation included an overview of DES from a p athological and clinical perspective, including data on s tent thrombosis in data submitted to FDA, r ecent meta-analyses of DES trials, new considerations in the definition of stent thrombosis, an overview of the b road clinical use of DES, and a discussion of antiplatelet therapy issues. The FDA presentation also included FDA-Medical Device Adverse Event Reporting data and an overview of the limitations of available study data.
The first open public hearing session began at 9:30 a.m., each speaker was allotted ten minutes to present.
After a brief break the two sponsors of DES approved in the US (Cordis Corporation and Boston Scientific) were given 30 minutes each to present data on the use of DES in accordance with the FDA-approved indications. These two presentations were followed by the second open public hearing session. These presentations were followed by a one hour lunch break.
Following the break the Panel was given the opportunity to address FDA’s questions.
Dr. Robert Fiorentino from the FDA presented the Agency’s views on “Stent Thrombosis: The Implications of Broader DES Use.” Dr. Fiorentino defined the topic of “off-label” use and discussed the potential implications of the finding that the majority of DES are implanted in patients or in vessels with characteristics different than those studied to support marketing approval.
This presentation was followed by two presentations from Boston Scientific and Cordis Corporation. Representatives from each company spoke for 20 minutes followed by a 15 minute Q&A session from the Panel.
Dr. Maisel then announced the fourth open public hearing session. There were a total of six speakers in this session, each speaker was given 10 minutes to present. This final open public hearing session ended with a 20 minute Q&A session by the Panel. Chairman Maisel thanked the participants and adjourned for the day at 6:45 p.m.
Chairman Maisel called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. and Director of the Advisory Committee Program Geretta Wood read the conflict of interest statement into the record.
Chairman Dr. Maisel gave a brief recap of the first day and proceeded to announce the first open the public hearing session of the day, reminding the public of their opportunity to submit written comments. This open public hearing session focused on US experience and discussion on the broader use of DES and its implications.
These presentations were followed by a one hour lunch break. Dr. Maisel announced the third open public hearing session for unscheduled speakers. Each unscheduled speaker was allotted 5 minutes to present. Two unscheduled speakers presented.
Following the unscheduled speakers the Panel was given the opportunity to address the second set of FDA questions.
Contact: James Paul Swink, Executive Secretary, at 240-276-4179
Transcripts may be purchased from:
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The Food and Drug Administration
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Under normal circumstances, panel summary minutes are available 60-90 days post meeting. Summaries are also available on the CDRH web site:
Updated December 15, 2006
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