SPIRIT IV trial design: A large-scale randomized comparison of everolimus-eluting stents and paclitaxel-eluting stents in patients with coronary artery disease

SPIRIT IV is the largest randomized comparison of 2 DES with completed enrollment. The absence of routine angiographic follow-up will allow an accurate assessment of the absolute differences in the clinical safety and efficacy profile between these devices. The magnitude of the study will also permit significant insights to be gained into the relative performance of the 2 stents in important subgroups, including patients with diabetes mellitus.