Medtronic Studies Drug-Eluting Stent Safety

Medtronic Inc. is beginning a large, randomized trial that will examine the safety of drug-eluting stents. The 8800-patient clinical trial will compare the company's zotarolimus-eluting coronary stent system (Endeavor) with J&J's sirolimus-eluting stent (Cypher). Medtronic enrolled the first patient in the study, called Protect, yesterday. The trial will look at overal stent thrombosis after three years.