TIDES-ACS Trial: comparison of titanium-nitride-oxide coated bio-active-stent to the drug (everolimus)-eluting stent in acute coronary syndrome. Study design and objectives.

Drug-eluting stents (DES), delivering antiproliferative drugs from a durable polymer, have shown to reduce in-stent restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) compared to bare-metal stents (BMS). However, they have been associated with a hypersensitivity reaction, delayed healing, and incomplete endothelialization, which may contribute to an increased risk of late stent thrombosis. Consequently, a prolonged duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is needed, with an increased risk of bleeding complication. A number of stent technologies are being developed in an attempt to modify late thrombotic events and DAPT duration. The Optimax™ stent is such a novel, next generation bioactive stent (BAS), in which a thicker layer of titanium-nitride-oxide coating is inserted over the stent struts. The rationale of this is to obtain more efficient and rapid vascular healing at the site of the stent implantation. The aim of TIDES-ACS Trial is to compare clinical outcome in patients presenting with ACS, treated with PCI using Optimax-BAS versus Synergy™-EES. Second objective is to explore whether the Optimax™-BAS use is superior compared with Synergy™-EES use with respect of hard end points (cardiac death, myocardial infarction [MI] and major bleeding). A prospective, randomized, multicenter trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02049229), will be conducted in interventional centres in Finland (six centres), France (five centres) and Holland (two centres), including a total of 1800 patients.

Participation in a workplace web-based health risk assessment program.

BACKGROUND: Web-based health risk assessment (HRA) programs can be effective in primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Insight into determinants of participation could improve implementation in the workplace. AIMS: To evaluate determinants of participation and reasons for non-participation in a web-based HRA offered to 5125 employees at four Dutch financial and information technology services companies. METHODS: The study consisted of a questionnaire to compare sex, age, self-rated health, smoking, current work ability and sick leave between participants and non-participants in the HRA program, as well as reasons for non-participation. RESULTS: HRA participation rate was 37% (1907/5125) and 14% of the non-participants (423/3102) completed the non-participant questionnaire. There were no differences between participants and non-participants in sex, education level, smoking, and current work ability. Compared with non-participants, participants were older (44 versus 41 years, P < 0.001). Among participants, 85% rated their health as 'good' or 'very good', compared with 78% among non-participants (P < 0.001); 88% of the participants reported fewer than 10 days sickness absence in the previous year, compared with 86% of the non-participants (P < 0.05). Reported reasons for non-participation included lack of time (39%) and not being aware of the opportunity to participate (11%). CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of demographic, health-related, and work-related determinants of participation in a web-based HRA showed differences between participants and non-participants in self-rated health and absenteeism. Implementing a less time-consuming HRA process and providing adequate information to employees prior to inviting them may be necessary to reach larger proportions of employees, including those with less favourable health and work characteristics.