Intracoronary Stent Implantation Research Articles

Time course of prothrombotic and proinflammatory substance release after intracoronary stent implantation

We hypothesized that restenosis after coronary stenting is predicted by elevated levels of markers of thrombus formation and inflammation. Plasma levels of representative markers of inflammation, the thrombin and plasmin activation systems and adhesion molecules were measured in 59 patients with stable angina pectoris before, immediately after and 6 hours (h), 12 h, 24 h, one month and six months after elective stent implantation (radioactive phosphorus-32 stents/RSs/ n = 16, bare-metal stents/BMSs/ n = 43). All patients underwent clinical and angiographic follow-up (FUP) six months after stenting. RSs had significantly higher angiographic severity of restenosis than BMSs (47.1 +/- 20.1% vs. 27.6 +/- 22.0%, p = 0.003). Repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant differences between the BMS and RS groups as regards the increases in plasma levels of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1, p = 0.022), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1, p = 0.047), tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA, p = 0.047) and CD40 ligand (CD40L, p = 0.038). tPA levels tended to increase immediately after stenting in both groups, whereas the PAI-1 level one month after stenting was elevated significantly only in the RS group. In the RS group, the plasma levels of CD40L were increased at 24 h and six months after stenting, and the VCAM-1 level rose immediately after stenting and remained high during the FUP. Multivariate analysis on pooled laboratory data of both groups revealed elevated levels of VCAM-1 at 12 h and at six months as significant predictors of the severity of stent restenosis. In conclusion, the process of inflammation and thrombosis occurring after coronary interventions seems to be prolonged and enhanced in patients with high-grade restenosis at the follow up.

Immediate and six months clinical and angiographic results of intracoronary paclitaxel-coated stent implantation – the Meo:DrugStar-1 study

The study was conducted to evaluate the clinical and angiographic results of the implantation of the paclitaxel-eluting stent Meo:DrugStar ST in patients with symptomatic coronary artery disease. The Meo:DrugStar ST stent has a stainless steel stent platform with a homogenous non-biodegradable coating of paclitaxel mixed with a polyether-based biostable, monophase, and hemocompatible coating. Sixty patients with native coronary artery disease were included in the study. The Meo:DrugStar ST stents were implanted in 60 de novo lesions detected in these patients. Immediate and long-term clinical and angiographic follow-up results were evaluated. There was a high proportion of patients with hypertension (55%) according to JNC-VII. Mean stenosis ratio was 78 +/- 13 %, mean implanted stent diameter was 3.0 +/- 0.4 mm and mean length was 22 +/- 5 mm. Restenosis was detected in 4 (10%) of those patients and 11 (27.5%) of 40 patients had insignificant amount of restenosis. The results of this study indicate a potential benefit of the Meo:DrugStar ST stent for the prevention of stent thrombosis and restenosis in these relatively high-risk patients.

Effects of Triple Antiplatelet Therapy ( Aspirin, Clopidogrel, and Cilostazol) on Platelet Aggregation and P-Selectin Expression in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Stent Implantation

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the addition of cilostazol to aspirin plus clopidogrel on platelet aggregation after intracoronary stent implantation. Twenty patients who underwent coronary stent placement were randomly assigned to therapy with aspirin plus clopidogrel (dual-therapy group, n = 10) or aspirin plus clopidogrel plus cilostazol (triple-therapy group, n = 10). A loading dose of clopidogrel (300 mg) and cilostazol (200 mg) was administered immediately after stent placement, and clopidogrel (75 mg/day) and cilostazol (100 mg twice daily) were given for 1 month. Platelet aggregation in response to adenosine diphosphate (ADP; 5 and 20 micromol/L) or collagen and P-selectin (CD-62P) expression was assayed at baseline, 2 hours, 24 hours, 1 week, and 1 month after stent placement. Inhibition of ADP-induced platelet aggregation was significantly higher in patients receiving triple therapy than those receiving dual therapy from 24 hours after stent placement, and inhibition of collagen-induced platelet aggregation was significantly higher in the triple-therapy group beginning 1 week after stent placement. P-Selectin expression was significantly lower in the triple-therapy than dual-therapy group at 1 week and 30 days. In conclusion, compared with dual antiplatelet therapy, triple therapy after coronary stent placement resulted in more potent inhibition of platelet aggregation induced by ADP and collagen. These findings suggest that triple therapy may be used clinically to prevent thrombotic complications after coronary stent placement.

Success, Safety, and Efficacy of Implantation of Diamond-Like Carbon-Coated Stents

The aim of this study was to evaluate safety and clinically defined efficacy of the implantation of a new stent coated with diamond-like carbon (DLC stent), in a group of patients who underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary revascularization procedures in two hemodynamic centers. This study was an observational prospective nonrandomized study that included 196 patients with a total of 236 significant de novo atheromatous coronary lesions, in which 245 DLC stents were implanted. The primary end point of this study was a composite of major cardiovascular events (death or acute myocardial infarction with or without Q) and need for target lesion revascularization (TLR) or target vessel revascularization (TVR) procedure during the first 48 hours and at 6 months after the DLC stent implantation. All patients had a myocardial perfusion imaging study with Tl(201) at 6 months after DLC stent implantation. Only patients with a myocardial perfusion imaging study indicative of myocardial ischemia were then submitted for a new coronary angiogram. No major cardiovascular event or emergency TVR occurred during hospitalization. At 6-month follow-up no major cardiovascular event occurred either, whereas the rate for TLR was 5.6% and that for TVR was 7.65%. This preliminary study provides enough clinical evidence that implantation of intracoronary bare metal stents coated with diamond-like carbon is associated with high success rates, safety, and efficacy, both in the hospital and at the 6-month follow-up after the interventional procedure.

Myocardial infarction: contemporary management strategies

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a common clinical diagnosis, associated with significant morbidity and mortality, not only in the short term, but also years following the index event. A more complete understanding of the pathophysiology of MI has ushered the era of multipronged treatment approach, with a combination of goal-directed revascularization, a broad adjunctive pharmacological therapy and aggressive secondary prevention measures. The goals of this article are to review the basic pathophysiological processes, which lead up to a clinical diagnosis of MI, to highlight the essential elements of clinical presentation and to summarize the evidence for comprehensive therapy. Emphasis has been placed on the choice of primary reperfusion therapy for ST-elevation MI, on risk-stratification of patients with non-ST elevation MI, and on rationale behind the selection of anti-ischaemic and antithrombotic therapy. Finally, evidence-based approach to secondary prevention is outlined.

Urgent and emergency aortocoronary-bypass grafting associated with primary intracoronary stent-implantation

Objective: Widespread implantation of drug eluting stents and aggressive indications for stent implantation requires a reconsideration of results after urgent and emergency myocardial revascularisation required for early complications of stent implantations (up to 6 months after stent-implantation).

Immediate and six months clinical and angiographic results of intracoronary Ephesos stent implantation: the “Ephesos-1” study

Background — This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical and angiographic results of the Ephesos stent implantation in patients with symptomatic coronary artery disease. The Ephesos stent is a new balloon-expandable, stainless steel, tubular stent with multicellular design.Methods — One hundred ten patients with native coronary artery disease were included in the study. The Ephesos stents were implanted in 163 de novo lesions detected in these patients. Immediate and long-term clinical and angiographic follow-up results were evaluated.Results — Most of the patients had unstable angina 63.6%, and 36.7 % of the lesions were type B and C. Mean lesion length was 12.7 ± 4.7. In 62% of the patients the reference lumen diameter was < 3 mm. One Q-wave and one non-Q-wave myocardial infarction (MI) occurred due to acute thrombotic occlusion during hospital stay. The 6-month event-free survival rate was 77.3%. No patients died in the six-month follow-up period, but 2 patients had non-Q wave MI and 1 patient experienced Q-wave MI within this period. Control angiographic data was collected from 110 patients (100% of patients and a total of 163 lesions). Angiographic restenosis rate was 18.1%. Twentytwo patients with restenosis had repeated target lesion balloon dilatation.Conclusion — The results of the present study showed that the Ephesos stent is a safe and effective choice with a low incidence of major adverse cardiac events and restenosis rate within six months of follow-up.

Finite element analysis of the implantation of a balloon-expandable stent in a stenosed artery

Intracoronary stent implantation (ICSI) has been widely used in interventional procedures. It can induce an even greater increment in intervention effectiveness and in success rate than traditional percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). However, owing to the complexities in geometries, material properties and interactions seen in ICSI, analyses of the complete stenting system composed of balloon, stent, plaque and artery are limited. In order to investigate the biomechanical characteristics of ICSI, a three-dimensional model of the complete stenting system and self-defined constitutive models for the plaque and the balloon were developed, which made the simulation well close to the real situation. Finite element method (FEM) was used to simulate the stent implantation under the balloon inflation and deflation. The simulated results show that the distal end of stent, which tilts after expansion, may injure the artery wall. High stress concentrates in the contacting areas between the stent and the plaque. The recoil ratios of the balloon-stent model, the balloon-stent-plaque-artery model (representing ICSI) and the balloon-plaque-artery model (representing PTCA) are 3.1%, 12.3% and 22.9%, respectively. In conclusion, FEM can help illustrate and quantify some biomechanical characteristics of ICSI. And it would be helpful for the general understanding of ICSI.

Impact of heparin neutralization by protamine on restenosis after coronary stent implantation

Antiplatelet therapy without anticoagulation has reduced hemorrhagic/vascular complications following stent implantation. However, a substantial number of patients still suffer from complications due to the widespread increase in the number of stent implantations. While heparin neutralization is one of the most simple and inexpensive methods to reduce the complications, with demonstrated short-term safety and feasibility [ 1 Ducas J. Chan M.C. Miller A. et al. Immediate protamine administration and sheath removal following percutaneous coronary intervention: a prospective study of 429 patients. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. 2002; 56: 196-199 Crossref PubMed Scopus (22) Google Scholar , 2 Briguori C. Di Mario C. De Gregorio J. et al. Administration of protamine after coronary stent deployment. Am Heart J. 1999; 138: 64-68 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (34) Google Scholar , 3 Pan M. Suarez de Lezo J. Medina A. et al. In-laboratory removal of femoral sheath following protamine administration in patients having intracoronary stent implantation. Am J Cardiol. 1997; 80: 1336-1338 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (62) Google Scholar ], its affect on long-term outcome (restenosis) is not known.

Review of Subacute Stent Thrombosis Following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention at a Low‐Volume Catheterization Laboratory

The frequency of coronary stent subacute thrombosis (SAT) following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with uncoated stents in recent studies is 0.5%-0.9%. Prior studies have indicated that complication rates are significantly higher when performed in low-volume centers. We sought to determine the incidence and outcomes of SAT following PCI with stent placement at a low-volume catheterization laboratory. We reviewed the Brooke Army Medical Center Interventional Database for all consecutive PCIs with stent implantation performed from January 1998 to December 2002. Clinical outcomes were obtained primarily through hospitalization records and clinic follow-up visits. There were 789 interventions with stenting on 750 patients over the specified time period, for an average of 158 procedures on 150 patients per year. There were seven cases of SAT, representing a rate of 0.89%. There was no difference in the clinical characteristics, procedural technique, or postprocedural antithrombotic therapy of the subjects with and without SAT. Of those with SAT, there were no subjects requiring surgical revascularization during index hospitalization, and all survived to index hospital discharge. Six of these seven subjects with SAT (85.7%) were alive at one year, with the single death noncardiovascular related. The incidence of thrombosis occurring within 30 days of intracoronary stent implantation is similar in low- and high-volume catheterization laboratories. In our low-volume laboratory experience, these events were not associated with significantly increased adverse outcomes.

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in the right ventricle myocardial infarction treatment

To present the results of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in the treatment of the patients with acute right ventricle myocardial infarction (ARVMI), with adjuvant analyses of the obtained results in the period of five years (2000-2004). Thrombolytic therapy and the primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PPTCA) was applied within the first 6 hours from the onset of anginous disorders, and rescue PTCA in the period from 6-24 hours from the onset of ARVMI. Results. A total number of 1175 patients, both sexes, 763 (64.8%) males and 412 females (35.2%), mean age 58.4 +/- 7.8 years, were treated for acute myocardial infarction (AIM) of different localization in the period of five years (2000-2004). Anterior infarction was found in 645 (54.8%) of the patients, and inferoposterior infarction (IPI) was localized in 530 patients (45.2%) patients of which in 134 (25.2%) AIMDK was proven. Out of 134 patients with proven acute myocardial of the right ventricle AIMDK, 53 (39.5%) got thrombolytic therapy, 64 patients (47.7%) were treated with the conservative heparin therapy, whereas in 17 patients (12.8%), primary percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PPTCA) was done. Delayed or rescue PTCA was done in 22 (18.8%) patients, in 8 (36.3%) from the group which got thrombolytic therapy, and in 14 (63.7%) treated with the heparin therapy. Out of the total number of 22 patients who got heparin or thrombolytic therapy combined with rescue PTCA, in 7 patients (31.8%) the complete clinical and angiographic effect of thrombolysis with AIM was achieved only by using a balloon. Baloon dilatation with the implantantion of intracoronary stent was performed in another 11 patients (50%), while 2 (9.1%) were sent to revascularization of the myocard due to diffusion changes in each of the 3 blood vessels, and 2 patients (9.1%) died. Of the patients, 17 (12.6%) had PPTCA with the implantation of intracoronary stent with the additional direct inhibitor of the platelet membrane glycoproteins IIb/IIIa (abciximab). All the patients treated in this way survived. They had no side effects nor serious complications. Their clinical recovery was satisfactory. In the first three weeks of the intrahospital period in the group of 45 patients (33.5%) with AIMDK, who got only thrombolytic therapy, 7 patients (15.5%) died, whereas in the group of 50 patients (37.3%) treated only with heparin, 13 (26%) died. In the group of 22 patients (18.8%) treated with the combined therapy with rescue PTCA and heparin or thrombolytic therapy, 2 patients (9.1%) died. In the group of 84 patients (62.6%) with AIMDK, who were treated with thrombolytic therapy with primary or rescue PTCA, 9 (10.7%) died. In the AIMDK group of 134 patients, 22 patients (16.4%) died in the period of 1 month of the hospital treatment, whereas in the second group of 396 patients with IPI, but without IDK, 36 (9.1%) died (chi2 = 4.789; p < 0.001). Out of the total number of 1175 patients with AIM in the five-year period of the intrahospital treatment, 145 patients (12.3%) died. In the group of patients with IPI, 58 patients out of 530 (10.9%) died, whereas 87 patients out of 645 (13.4%) with anterior infarction died, (chi2 = 0.567; p < 0.452). The combination of thrombolytic therapy and PTCA shown in the obtained results completely justified this kind of treatment, and offered the patients with AIMDK a greater chance to surve than they had before.

&lt;b&gt;The Relationship Between Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Gene Polymorphism, Coronary Artery Disease, and Stent Restenosis&lt;/b&gt;

Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) have advanced atherosclerosis compared with nondiabetics. Restenosis after intracoronary stent implantation occurs frequently in diabetic patients. Angiotensin II is an important growth factor for the development of neointimal hyperplasia after vascular injury. The aim of our study was to evaluate the relationships between angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism and coronary artery disease (CAD) and stent restonosis in diabetic patients. One hundred and thirty consecutive patients with CAD and 47 consecutive patients (14 males, mean age, 58.0 +/- 10.0) without CAD were enrolled in the study. All patients had type 2 (noninsulin dependent) DM. The patients with CAD underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and stenting. Ninety-four (59 males, mean age, 60.3 +/- 9.8) underwent control coronary angiography at the end of the follow-up period (mean duration, 9.1 +/- 2.9 months). ACE gene I/D genotyping was identified in all patients. No significant difference was found among patients with and without CAD with respect to ACE gene I/D polymorphism (P = 0.460). In the control coronary angiography, stent restenosis and new lesion development were comparable in each genotyping subgroup. However, a significant relationship was observed between restenosis and the use of ACE inhibitors (ACEI) in patients with D allele (ACEI ratio, 43.5% in the restenosis group and 56.5% in non-restenotic group, P < 0.05). We did not find any relationship between ACE gene I/D polymorphism and CAD and stent restenosis and new lesion development in diabetic patients. On the other hand, ACEI treatment may reduce stent restenosis in type 2 diabetic patients with D allele (DD or ID).

Effect of peripheral arterial disease in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention with intracoronary stents

OBJECTIVE To compare the short-term and long-term outcomes of patients with coronary artery disease and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) who underwent intracoronary (IC) stent implantation during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with the outcomes of patients with isolated coronary artery disease but without PAD who underwent IC stent implantation. PATIENTS AND METHODS We analyzed the outcomes of 7696 patients who underwent IC stent implantation during PCI at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn, between January 1996 and December 2002. Outcomes of 6299 patients (82%) with isolated coronary artery disease and without PAD who underwent IC stent implantation (group 1) were compared with outcomes of 1397 patients (18%) with coronary artery disease and PAD (group 2) who underwent PCI with IC stent implantation. RESULTS Patients in group 2 were older (71.1±10.2 years vs 65.0±12.0 years; P P P P P P P P P P P P =.009), and for death/MI/CABG/target vessel revascularization, the odds ratio was 1.25 (95% CI, 1.00-1.55; P =.048) in patients with PAD treated with IC stents. Median follow-up was 3.1 years. Six-month, 1-year, and 2-year Kaplan-Meier estimates of survival free of death/MI/CABG/target vessel revascularization were 84%, 77%, and 69%, respectively, for group 2 and were significantly worse compared with group 1 (89%, 85%, and 80%, respectively; P CONCLUSIONS Compared with patients who had isolated coronary artery disease but no PAD, patients with coronary artery disease and PAD had lower procedural success and higher inhospital major cardiovascular complications, including higher blood loss requiring transfusion, after PCI with stent implantation. On follow-up, the short-term and long-term outcomes of patients with PAD were worse, with higher mortality, MI, and need for repeated target vessel revascularization.

Effect of Peripheral Arterial Disease in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Intracoronary Stents

To compare the short-term and long-term outcomes of patients with coronary artery disease and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) who underwent intracoronary (IC) stent Implantation during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with the outcomes of patients with isolated coronary artery disease but without PAD who underwent IC stent implantation. We analyzed the outcomes of 7696 patients who underwent IC stent implantation during PCI at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn, between January 1996 and December 2002. Outcomes of 6299 patients (82%) with Isolated coronary artery disease and without PAD who underwent IC stent implantation (group 1) were compared with outcomes of 1397 patients (18%) with coronary artery disease and PAD (group 2) who underwent PCI with IC stent implantation. Patients in group 2 were older (71.1+/-10.2 years vs 65.0+/-12.0 years; P<.001) and had a higher prevalence of hypertension (79% vs 61%; P<.001), diabetes mellitus (33% vs 20%; P<.001), hyperlipidemia (76% vs 70%; P<.001), and history of smoking (70% vs 63%; P<.001) compared with group 1. Prevalence of multivessel disease was higher in group 2 (79% vs 68%; P<.001). Procedural success was significantly lower In group 2 (95% vs 97%; P<.001). In-hospital complications were higher in group 2: death (3% vs 1%; P<.001), any myocardial Infarction (MI) (8% vs 5%; P<.001), death/MI/coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)/target vessel revascularization (11% vs 7%; P<.001), and blood loss requiring transfusion (11% vs 5.8%; P<.001). After adjustment for other risk factors, the odds ratio for in-hospital death was 1.84 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16-2.90; P=.009), and for death/MI/CABG/target vessel revascularization, the odds ratio was 1.25 (95% CI, 1.00-1.55; P=.048) in patients with PAD treated with IC stents. Median follow-up was 3.1 years. Six-month, 1-year, and 2-year Kaplan-Meier estimates of survival free of death/MI/CABG/target vessel revascularization were 84%, 77%, and 69%, respectively, for group 2 and were significantly worse compared with group 1 (89%, 85%, and 80%, respectively; P<.001). This effect remained after adjustment for other risk factors (hazard ratio, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.22-1.51). Compared with patients who had isolated coronary artery disease but no PAD, patients with coronary artery disease and PAD had lower procedural success and higher in-hospital major cardiovascular complications, including higher blood loss requiring transfusion, after PCI with stent Implantation. On follow-up, the short-term and long-term outcomes of patients with PAD were worse, with higher mortality, MI, and need for repeated target vessel revascularization.

Feasibility of assessment of coronary stent patency using 16-slice computed tomography

Intracoronary stent implantation is a frequently performed procedure in the treatment of stenoses in coronary arteries, but in-stent restenosis occurs in ∼10% to 15% of patients. A noninvasive diagnostic procedure to evaluate in-stent restenosis would therefore be of great benefit. We investigated the feasibility of assessing stent patency with 16-slice computed tomography. Multislice computed tomography (MSCT) was performed in 22 patients with previously implanted stents. For each stent, assessability was determined and related to stent type and diameter. Subsequently, the presence of significant restenosis was determined in the evaluable stents. In addition, peristent lumina (5 mm proximal and distal to the stent) were evaluated. Conventional angiography in combination with quantitative coronary angiography served as the standard of reference. MSCT was performed successfully in all but 1 patient. Of 65 stents, 50 (77%) were determined assessable. Uninterpretable stents tended to have a thicker strut and/or a smaller diameter. In the evaluable stents, 7 of 9 stenoses were detected and the absence of restenosis was correctly identified in all 41 patent stents, resulting in a sensitivity and specificity of 78% and 100%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity for the detection of peristent stenosis were 75% and 96%, respectively. In conclusion, MSCT may be useful in the assessment of stent patency and may function as a gatekeeper before invasive diagnostic procedures.

Study on the emotion disorder in patients with coronary heart disease who receive the interventional therapy and the effect of mental intervention

目的 了解心脏介入治疗前后冠心病患者的情绪障碍和心理干预的效果.方法采用社会心理因素调查表对62例接受PTCA+支架植入术治疗的冠心病患者进行调查,在手术前后对干预组患者进行综合心理干预,并用SDS和SAS评定两组患者的情绪变化.结果术前两组患者焦虑、抑郁的发生率、SDS和SAS症状分无显著差异,心理干预后干预组的情绪障碍(SAS28.09±5.12,SDS26.35±4.91)较对照组(SAS37.60±5.53,SDS34.62±5.72)明显改善(P＜0.05或P＜0.01).结论综合心理干预可以有效地减轻接受PTCA+支架植入术治疗的冠心病患者焦虑、抑郁情绪障碍,值得推广应用。

A randomized comparison of clopidogrel and aspirin versus ticlopidine and aspirin after coronary stent implantation

Background The combination of a thienopyridine and aspirin has become the standard of care after intracoronary stenting. Clopidogrel appears to be better tolerated than ticlopidine but may be associated with more adverse cardiac events. We assessed the tolerability and efficacy of 2 weeks of therapy with ticlopidine and aspirin in comparison to clopidogrel and aspirin after coronary stent implantation. Methods Patients with successful intracoronary stent implantation at our institution were randomly assigned, in addition to aspirin, to receive either ticlopidine or clopidogrel. Loading doses were administered immediately after the procedure, and the drugs were continued for 2 weeks. Results Three hundred seven patients were randomly assigned: 154 patients to clopidogrel and 153 to the ticlopidine group. The primary end point of early drug discontinuation occurred in 5 patients (3.3%) in the ticlopidine group and 1 patient (0.6%) in the clopidogrel group ( P = .121). Within 30 days, thrombotic stent occlusion occurred in 1 patient (0.7%) in the ticlopidine group and 3 patients (1.9%) in the clopidogrel group ( P = .623). A major adverse cardiac event occurred in 3 patients (∼1.9%; P = 1.00) in each group. Conclusions There was a nonsignificant trend to improved tolerability of a 2-week regimen of clopidogrel and aspirin when compared with ticlopidine and aspirin in patients undergoing intracoronary stent implantation. The combination of clopidogrel and aspirin results in a comparably low incidence of major adverse cardiac events when compared with ticlopidine and aspirin.

Effect of preinfarction angina pectoris on microcirculation in patients with reperfused acute myocardial infarction

Preinfarction angina pectoris has been suggested in some studies to have a beneficial effect on left ventricular function after acute myocardial infarction (AMI).The precise mechanisms of this protection have not been fully elucidated.The effect of preinfarction angina on myocardial tissue perfusion also needs to be clarified. In this study, we investigated the influence of preinfarction angina on microvasculatory damage by using ST-segment resolution and pressure-derived collateral flow index (CFIp) as a marker of microcirculatory perfusion.Methods — We studied 41 patients with a first AMI in whom thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) grade 3 flow in the infarct-related artery was established by thrombolytic therapy.The percent resolution of ST-segment deviation (DS ST) after thrombolysis was determined. All of the patients had TIMI grade 3 flow in IRA at the coronary angiography, which was done a mean of 4 days after AMI. Intracoronary pressure measurements and stent implantation to the IRA were performed. After angiography, CFIp was calculated as the ratio of simultaneously measured coronary wedge pressure – central venous pressure (Pv) to mean aortic pressure – Pv.Results — Patients with preinfarction angina pectoris had greater percent DS ST than those without PA (67 ± 18% vs. 44 ± 24%, p = 0.03).The mean of the coronary wedge pressure (16.4 ± 7.4 compared with 23.2 ± 9.4, P < 0.03) and the pressure-derived collateral flow index (0.15 ± 0.10 compared with 0.22 ± 0.08, P < 0.03) were significantly lower in patients with preinfarction angina compared to those without.Conclusion — Preinfarction angina is associated with a greater degree of ST-segment resolution and lower CFI-p in patients with TIMI-3 reflow after thrombolysis.These findings suggest that a protective effect of preinfarction angina against reperfusion injury may result in greater ST resolution and lower CFIp after AMI.

Lipoprotein(a), apolipoprotein(a) polymorphism and restenosis after intracoronary stent placement in Type 2 diabetic patients

The relationship between lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and restenosis after intracoronary stent implantation has never been analysed in diabetic patients. The aim of the present prospective study was to evaluate whether Lp(a) levels and apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)] phenotypes are predictors of restenosis after elective stent implantation in Type 2 diabetic patients with de novo lesions of coronary arteries. We recruited 102 Type 2 diabetic patients with a new lesion successfully treated with elective placement of one or two Palmaz–Schatz stents. Follow-up angiography was scheduled at 6 months or earlier if clinically indicated. Seven patients were lost to the follow up. Among 95 patients enrolled, restenosis was present in 37 (38.9%) and absent in 58 (61.1%). The restenosis group showed Lp(a) levels higher than the nonrestenosis group (25.1±14.4 vs. 21.3±14.6 mg/dl), but the difference was not significant. The restenosis group had a percentage of subjects with at least one apo(a) isoform of low molecular weight (MW) significantly greater than the nonrestenosis group (75.7% vs. 55.1%; P<.05). A multiple logistic regression analysis showed that presence of multivessel disease (risk relative [RR]: 5.83; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.21–28.15; P<.05) was the only predictor of restenosis after stent placement in diabetic patients. Lp(a) and apo(a) polymorphisms did not enter the model as predictive variables. Our study shows that the presence of multivessel disease is a predictor of restenosis after intracoronary stent implantation in diabetic patients. On the contrary, Lp(a) and apo(a) polymorphisms do not appear to be reliable markers of restenosis in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Periprocedural Kinetics in Serum Levels of Cytokines and Adhesion Molecules in Elective PTCA and Stent Implantation: Impact on Restenosis

To the Editor: Coronary restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) remains a significant clinical problem occurring in ≈30% of patients even after wide accessibility and application of intraluminal stent implantation. Recent developments in stent design have made new techniques such as brachytherapy and drug-eluting stents available for clinical approaches; nonetheless, restenosis with its complex multifactorial genesis will continue to be an important problem with a major impact on long-term outcome of patients after coronary interventions. Several factors have been suggested to serve as predictors of the later occurrence of restenosis, but no serum parameter with predictive value has been clinically established so far. The pathophysiology of coronary restenosis has not been fully elucidated; however, an initial vascular injury is supposed to initiate a local inflammatory response that induces the recruitment of circulating immune-competent cells through an increased expression and translocation of several adhesion molecules such as P-selectin, E-selectin, and monocyte chemoattractant molecule-1 (MCP-1).1,2⇓ Migration of leukocytes, release of cytokines, and growth factors result in the induction of local inflammatory reactions and vascular remodeling.3 Patients with angina pectoris and acute myocardial infarction show a systemic inflammatory activation and elevated serum levels of vascular adhesion molecules.1,2⇓ Therefore, the local vascular inflammation seems to be accompanied by alterations of serum parameters exhibiting a systemic inflammatory response toward local tissue damage. We investigated periprocedural serum kinetics of cytokines (TNFα and IL-1β) and adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E-selectin and P-selectin) from baseline to 48 hours after elective PTCA and intracoronary stent implantation in patients with stable angina pectoris (CCS II-III). Forty patients with stable angina pectoris and a left ventricular ejection fraction of >45% admitted for elective PTCA and stent implantation were prospectively included in this study. Before and 48 hours after intervention, venous blood samples were drawn from …