The restenosis of the paclitaxel-eluting stents used in Cuba has not been studied. Objective: To evaluate the restenosis of paclitaxel-eluting stents and conventional stents. Methods: 64 patients with stent restenosis were included, from a previous prospective study; in 318 patients followed up for 3 years after percutaneous coronary intervention; 25 with a paclitaxel-eluting stent and 39 conventional metal stent. Restenosis was considered as a new lesion ≥ 50 % of the vessel lumen with proven

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... schemia. The time to onset, angiographic pattern and alternative revascularization were described. Results: Restenosis in the group with paclitaxel-eluting stents was 15.7 % with a mean survival time without restenosis of 32.4 months vs. 24.5 % in conventional stents, with restenosis-free survival of 29.8 months, (p = 0.047). In the group with paclitaxel-eluting stents, the IB pattern predominated (30.3 %) and the conventional stent III (28.3 %). In 28.0 % of the paclitaxel-eluting stent group, revascularization surgery was used vs. 5.1 % in the conventional stent group. Conclusions: The paclitaxel-eluting stent achieves a superior and more durable restenosis-free survival than the conventional stent. Restenosis in paclitaxel-eluting stents is focal, with a higher frequency of revascularization by surgery, and in conventional stents it is mostly diffuse.