Only 5 of the 1,202 patients were not evaluable with a median follow-up of 40 months. The overall duration of follow-up was 56 months.
The STICH Extension study will test the durability of the current results at 10 years.
STICH was supported by grants from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (90%) and Abbott Laboratories (2%). Dr. Velazquez reported receiving consulting fees from Novartis, Gilead, and Boehringer-Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals. Two of his coauthors reported similar relationships with Medtronic, St. Jude Medical, Biotronik, CardioMEMS, and Novartis.
Dr. Gersch has financial relationships with several device and pharmaceutical companies, including Boston Scientific, Merck, Ortho-McNeil, and Abbott Laboratories. Dr. Bolling has received remuneration from Edwards Lifesciences.