Boston Scientific has presented positive outcomes from the PERSEUS clinical program which showed favorable two-year safety results of the ION (TAXUS Element) Stent System compared to its second-generation TAXUS Liberte Paclitaxel-Eluting Stent.

The ION Stent System incorporates a unique platinum chromium (PtCr) alloy designed specifically for coronary stenting and intended to improve the acute performance of coronary stent implantation in the treatment of coronary artery disease.

The thin-strut stent design improves conformability, drug distribution, minimal recoil and uniform lesion coverage.

The results demonstarted that the ION Stent achieved significantly lower rates of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at two years and a numerically lower rate of target lesion failure (TLF).

Cardiac and Vascular Research Center principal investigator Louis Cannon said the clinical results at two years confirm the ION Stent’s safety and efficacy in workhorse lesions and suggest superior performance relative to bare-metal stents in small vessels.

"In addition, I have found the new alloy and stent design to offer increased flexibility, visibility and deliverability," Cannon said.