SYNTAX Analysis Finds Treatment With TAXUS(R) Express2(TM) Stents More Cost Effective Than Bypass Surgery in Many Patients With Complex Coronary Arte...( NATICK Mass. and ORLANDO Fla. March 2...),Health

NATICK, Mass. and ORLANDO, Fla., March 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) today announced results from an analysis of economic and quality of life outcomes, based on one-year data from its landmark SYNTAX trial. The results found that while the overall cost effectiveness of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) versus coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery varied according to patient characteristics, PCI was more cost effective than CABG in patients with low or moderate coronary lesion complexity. CABG was more cost effective than PCI in those with the most complex disease. The results also found that both PCI and CABG improved several quality of life measures.

Analysis of the data was presented by David J. Cohen, M.D., M.Sc., Director of Cardiovascular Research at Saint-Luke's Mid America Heart Institute and Professor of Medicine at the University of Missouri (both in Kansas City), at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) Annual Scientific Sessions.

"This analysis demonstrates that the cost effectiveness of PCI versus CABG depends largely on patient characteristics, notably lesion complexity as defined by the SYNTAX Score," said Dr. Cohen. "The data on quality of life will be helpful to physicians and patients as they consider an appropriate course of treatment. Long-term results will be essential to providing more definitive guidelines for treating these complex coronary patients, and five-year follow up is planned for all patients in the SYNTAX trial."

"Previously published SYNTAX data showed no difference in safety and efficacy outcomes between PCI and CABG in patients with low or moderate lesion complexity," said Keith D. Dawkins, M.D., Associate Chief Medical Officer of Boston Scientific. "Today's finding that PCI was more cost effective than CAB
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