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Meta-analysis finds higher target-lesion revascularization with Magmaris scaffold vs. DES in ACSMagnesium heart scaffold tied to more repeat procedures than standard stents

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Key Takeaway
Consider that Magmaris shows higher target-lesion revascularization vs. DES; comparative efficacy remains uncertain due to limited evidence.

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the Magmaris bioresorbable magnesium scaffold versus drug-eluting stents (DES) in patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. The pairwise analysis included 622 patients (322 Magmaris, 300 DES), with an additional 1,391 patients in single-arm analyses. Follow-up was one year.

The primary outcome, target-lesion failure (composite of cardiac death, target-vessel myocardial infarction, and target-lesion revascularization), showed no statistically significant difference between groups (OR 1.53; 95% CI 0.79–2.97; p=0.21; 7.5% vs. 5.3%). However, target-lesion revascularization was significantly higher with Magmaris (OR 2.63; 95% CI 1.17–5.90; p=0.019; 6.8% vs. 3.0%). No significant differences were observed for target-vessel myocardial infarction, cardiac death, or scaffold/stent thrombosis. The pooled 1-year incidence of scaffold/stent thrombosis was 0.83%. Procedural success was high at 98.49% (95% CI 97.21–99.18).

The authors note several limitations: limited and heterogeneous evidence, wide confidence intervals, and a small number of included studies. The meta-analysis includes both observational and randomized studies, so findings represent associations only. Certainty is low.

In practice, Magmaris in ACS was associated with low observed stent thrombosis rates, but comparative safety and efficacy versus DES remain uncertain. The higher target-lesion revascularization rates suggest technical improvements are needed before it can be considered a robust alternative.

When you have a heart attack, doctors often open the blocked artery with a tiny mesh tube called a stent. Most stents are made of metal and stay in your body forever. But a newer option, the Magmaris scaffold, is made of magnesium and designed to dissolve over time. The idea is that once the artery heals, nothing is left behind.

A new analysis of the available research, which included over 600 patients, compared the Magmaris scaffold to standard drug-eluting stents in people with acute coronary syndrome. After one year, the overall rate of major heart problems was similar between the two devices. However, people who got the Magmaris scaffold were more than twice as likely to need a repeat procedure to reopen the same artery.

The good news: the scaffold was placed successfully in nearly 99% of cases, and the rate of dangerous blood clots was low. But the evidence is limited and comes from small studies with wide confidence intervals, meaning the results are not very precise. The researchers caution that the Magmaris scaffold is not yet a proven alternative to standard stents for heart attack patients.

What this means for you:
Magmaris scaffold may lead to more repeat procedures than standard stents; more research is needed.

Study Details

Study typeMeta analysis
EvidenceLevel 1
PublishedMay 2026
View Original Abstract ↓
BackgroundBioresorbable scaffolds aim to mitigate long-term complications of drug-eluting stents (DES). The bioresorbable magnesium scaffold Magmaris is an alternative, but its role in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains insufficiently studied. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate safety and efficacy of Magmaris in ACS and compare outcomes with DES.MethodsWe systematically searched PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for randomized and observational studies reporting outcomes of Magmaris in ACS. Primary outcome was target-lesion failure (TLF) defined as composite of cardiac death (CD), target-vessel myocardial infarction (TV-MI) and target-lesion revascularization (TLR) at one year. Secondary outcomes included scaffold/stent thrombosis (ST) and procedural success. Single-arm pooled event rates and pairwise comparisons were estimated using generalized linear mixed-effects models (GLMM).ResultsWe included four studies (n = 622 patients; 322 Magmaris, 300 DES) for pairwise analysis. At one year, no statistically significant difference in TLF was observed between Magmaris and DES (7.5% vs. 5.3%, OR 1.53, 95% CI 0.79–2.97; p = 0.21; I2 = 54.7%), although confidence intervals were wide. TLR was significantly higher with Magmaris (6.8% vs. 3.0%, OR 2.63, 95% CI 1.17–5.90; p = 0.019; I2 = 10.7%), while TV-MI, CD and ST did not differ significantly between groups. Twelve studies (n = 1,391 patients) contributed single-arm analyses showing pooled 1-year incidence of TLF 4.97%, TLR 4.16% and ST 0.83%. Procedural success was 98.49% (95% CI 97.21–99.18; I2 = 35.4%).ConclusionIn ACS, Magmaris was associated with low observed ST rates, nevertheless, comparative safety and efficacy vs. DES remain uncertain due to limited and heterogeneous evidence. Higher TLR rates with Magmaris suggest that further technical improvements in next-generation magnesium scaffolds are needed before this strategy can be considered a robust alternative in ACS.
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