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Background: The mechanism of in-stent restenosis (ISR) is multifactorial, which includes biological, mechanical and technical factors. This study hypothesized that increased inflammatory reaction, which is known to be an important atherosclerotic process, at a culprit lesion may lead to higher restenosis rates., Methods: The study population consisted of 241 patients who had undergone percutaneous coronary intervention with virtual histology-intravascular ultrasound (VH-IVUS) and a 9-month follow-up coronary angiography. Compared herein is the coronary plaque composition between patients with ISR and those without ISR., Results: Patients with ISR (n = 27) were likely to be older (66.2 ± 9.5 years vs. 58.7 ± 11.7 years, p = 0.002) and have higher levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP, 1.60 ± 3.59 mg/dL vs. 0.31 ± 0.76 mg/dL, p < 0.001) than those without ISR (n = 214). VH-IVUS examination showed that percent necrotic core volume (14.3 ± 8.7% vs. 19.5 ± 9.1%, p = 0.005) was higher in those without ISR than those with ISR. Multivariate analysis revealed that hs-CRP (odds ratio [OR] 3.334, 95% con-fidence interval [CI] 1.158-9.596, p = 0.026) and age (OR 3.557, 95% CI 1.242-10.192, p = 0.018) were associated with ISR., Conclusions: This study suggests that ISR is not associated with baseline coronary plaque composition but is associated with old age and increased expression of the inflammatory marker of hs-CRP. (Cardiol J 2018; 25, 1: 7-13).

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with clopidogrel and aspirin is a widely prescribed regimen to prevent ischemic events in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A fixed-dose combination (FDC) capsule (HCP0911) has been developed to provide dosing convenience and improve adherence. We compared the antiplatelet effects of single daily dose HCP0911 with separate treatment with daily 75 mg clopidogrel plus 100 mg aspirin. This was a randomized, open-label, two-period, crossover, non-inferiority study conducted in stented patients who had been treated for at least 6 months with clopidogrel and aspirin. Thirty patients were randomly assigned to receive either daily 75 mg clopidogrel plus 100 mg aspirin treatment or HCP0911 for 2 weeks and then were crossed over to the other treatment for 2 weeks. Pharmacodynamic effects were measured with VerifyNow, light transmittance aggregometry (LTA), and thromboelastography (TEG ® ). The primary endpoint was P2Y12 Reaction Units (PRU) measured by VerifyNow. PRUs during treatment with HCP0911 were not inferior to those during separate treatment (202 ± 52 vs. 207 ± 60 PRU; mean difference, -5 PRU; 90% confidence interval of difference, -23 to 13 PRU; P for non-inferiority = 0.015 for predetermined limit). "BASE" and Aspirin Reaction Units by VerifyNow did not differ between the two treatments. During each treatment, there were no differences in maximal and final platelet aggregations by LTA (all P values ≥0.822) and TEG ® measurements. In conclusion, in stented patients, the antiplatelet effect of a fixed-dose clopidogrel-aspirin combination, HCP0911, was not inferior to separate administration of clopidogrel and aspirin.

Most subordinate techniques accompanying bifurcation stenting have not been supported by relevant clinical trials. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of technical specifications involved in bifurcation stenting on angiographic outcomes. We analyzed patients enrolled in a cohort consisting of the patients in 2 randomized studies: one comparing routine final kissing inflation (FKI) versus leave-alone strategy after the 1-stent technique for bifurcations without side branch (SB) stenosis (<50%) and the other comparing crush versus the 1-stent technique for lesions with SB stenosis (≥50%). The effects of subordinate techniques and devices on 8-month angiographic restenosis were studied using multivariate models. Of 514 patients whose 8-month angiograms were available, 58 (11.3%) were found to have restenosis involving, in total, 35 main branches (MBs) and 27 SBs. Using multivariate models, we identified FKI as the only independent predictor of MB restenosis in the technically modifiable variables. The effect of FKI was significantly different across subgroups defined by bifurcation lesion type and stenting technique (test for homogeneity, p = 0.003): FKI was unrelated to MB restenosis in the 1-stent for diseased SB (odds ratio [OR] 0.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.10 to 1.72; p = 0.22) and the 2-stent groups (OR 0.14, 95% CI 0.01 to 1.36; p = 0.09) but predictive of MB restenosis in the 1-stent for normal SB group (OR 4.90, 95% CI 1.58 to 15.16; p = 0.006)., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: We used intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) to evaluate the association of tissue prolapse (TP) with short- and long-term outcomes after stent implantation in 418 acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients., Methods: We evaluated the incidences of stent thrombosis, no-reflow, and long-term outcomes between patients with TP (n=142) and those without TP (n=276)., Results: twb.42w?>Acute and subacute stent thromboses occurred more frequently in patients with TP compared with those without TP (3.5% vs. 0.7%, p=0.035, and 4.2% vs. 0.7%, p = 0.013, respectively). TP volumes in 14 patients with stent thrombosis were significantly greater than those in 128 patients without stent thrombosis (3.3 ± 1.6 mm(3) vs. 2.6 ± 1.9 mm(3), p=0.012). No-reflow was developed more frequently in patients with TP compared with those without TP (25.4% vs. 9.8%, p < 0.001). Creatine kinase-MB and cardiac-specific troponin I were elevated more significantly after stenting in patients with TP compared with those without TP (Δ=+9.0 ± 25.2 U/l vs. -4.2 ± 41.6 U/l, p=0.001 and Δ=+10.0 ± 43.5 ng/ml vs. -1.2 ± 35.6 ng/ml, p=0.005, respectively). There were no significant differences in the incidences of cardiac death, MI, and target vessel revascularization at 1-year. Multivariate analysis showed that TP was the independent predictor of composite of acute and subacute stent thromboses [odds ratio (OR) = 4.211; 95% CI 1.198-14.805, p = 0.025] and composite of acute stent thrombosis and no-reflow (OR = 2.551; 95% CI 1.315-4.952, p = 0.006)., Conclusions: TP was associated with poor short-term outcomes (more acute and subacute thromboses and no-reflow phenomenon), however it was not associated with worse long-term outcomes after stent implantation for infarct-related arteries in patients with AMI., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: We evaluated the clinical and angiographic outcomes of silicon carbide-coated cobalt chromium PROKinetic bare-metal stent in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)., Methods: Patients with acute STEMI (2.75-5.00 mm vessels; lesion length ≤30 mm by visual estimation) were treated with PRO-Kinetic stents at 5 centers in Korea. The primary endpoint was the rate of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), defined as all-cause death, new myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization (TLR) at 6-month follow-up. Follow-up angiography was recommended after the completion of the 6-month clinical followup., Results: A total of 64 patients (56.6 ± 12.9 years old, 56 male) were enrolled in the study. Procedural success was achieved in 100% of the lesions. The mean stent size was 3.51 ± 0.67 mm and the mean stent length was 20.3 ± 4.4 mm. There was 1 case of in-hospital death due to cardiac tamponade. During the 6-month clinical follow-up, 4 patients (6.3%) received TLR. Therefore, the total rate of MACE was 7.8%. Angiographic follow-up data were available for 42 patients (65.6%) and the in-stent late lumen loss was 1.02 ± 0.62 mm and in-segment late lumen loss was 0.99 ± 0.64 mm. Binary restenosis occurred in 53% of reference vessel diameters (RVDs) ≤3.0 mm, 25% of RVDs between 3.0 and 3.5 mm, and 0% of RVDs >3.5 mm (P=.006)., Conclusions: The use of the PRO-Kinetic stent seems to be safe and feasible in primary PCI for acute STEMI, and shows favorable clinical and angiographic outcomes in large (>3.0 mm) coronary arteries, but not in small arteries.

Aims: We used virtual histology-intravascular ultrasound (VH-IVUS) to evaluate the relation between coronary plaque characteristics and no-reflow in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients., Methods and Results: A total of 190 consecutive ACS patients were imaged using VH-IVUS and analysed retrospectively. Angiographic no-reflow was defined as TIMI flow grade 0, 1, and 2 after stenting. Virtual histology-intravascular ultrasound classified the colour-coded tissue into four major components: fibrotic, fibro-fatty, dense calcium, and necrotic core (NC). Thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) was defined as focal, NC-rich (≥10% of the cross-sectional area) plaques being in contact with the lumen in a plaque burden≥40%. Of the 190 patients studied at pre-stenting, no-reflow was observed in 24 patients (12.6%) at post-stenting. The absolute and %NC areas at the minimum lumen sites (1.6±1.2 vs. 0.9±0.8 mm2, P<0.001, and 24.5±14.3 vs. 16.1±10.6%, P=0.001, respectively) and the absolute and %NC volumes (30±24 vs. 16±17 mm3, P=0.001, and 22±11 vs. 14±8%, P<0.001, respectively) were significantly greater, and the presence of at least one TCFA and multiple TCFAs within culprit lesions (71 vs. 36%, P=0.001, and 38 vs. 15%, P=0.005, respectively) was significantly more common in the no-reflow group compared with the normal-reflow group. In the multivariable analysis, %NC volume was the only independent predictor of no-reflow (odds ratio=1.126; 95% CI 1.045-1.214, P=0.002)., Conclusion: In ACS patients, post-stenting no-reflow is associated with plaque components defined by VH-IVUS analysis with larger NC and more TCFAs.

Background/aims: Carvedilol is an antioxidant that inhibits smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration. The aim of this study was to investigate the beneficial effects of carvedilol-loaded stents on 2-year clinical outcomes after stent implantation in patients with coronary artery disease., Methods: We performed a prospective trial with male subjects to compare the safety and effects of carvedilol-loaded BiodivYsio® stents implanted into 20 patients with those of bare-metal BiodivYsio® stents implanted into 21 patients for de novo coronary lesions. The primary end point was the degree of neointimal hyperplasia, which was measured by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) 6 months after the procedure; the secondary end point was major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at 2 years after implantation. All carvedilol and control stents were deployed successfully., Results: A 2-year follow-up was completed for 19 patients (95%) in the carvedilol stent group and 20 patients (95%) in the control stent group. IVUS showed a trend toward a larger luminal area (6.86 ± 2.59 vs. 5.47 ± 1.52 mm², p = 0.267), smaller neointimal area (1.34 ± 0.70 vs. 2.40 ± 1.73 mm², p = 0.18), and reduced net decrease in luminal area (-0.78 ± 0.97 vs. -1.89 ± 1.78 mm², p = 0.106) in the carvedilol stent group compared with the control stent group, respectively. There were no significant differences in the incidence of MACE (10.5 vs. 30.0%, respectively, p = 0.132) between the groups at 2 years after stent implantation. Stent thrombosis did not occur in either group after 2 years., Conclusions: The carvedilol-loaded stents tended to inhibit neointimal hyperplasia without the occurrence of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or stent thrombosis at 2-year follow-up.

Background/aims: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a usual dose of simvastatin (20 mg/day) on plaque regression and vascular remodeling at the peri-stent reference segments after bare-metal stent implantation., Methods: We retrospectively investigated serial intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) findings in 380 peri-stent reference segments (184 proximal and 196 distal to the stent) in 196 patients (simvastatin group, n = 132 vs. non-statin group, n = 64). Quantitative volumetric IVUS analysis was performed in 5-mm vessel segments proximal and distal to the stent., Results: IVUS follow-up was performed at a mean of 9.4 months after stenting (range, 5 to 19 months). No significant differences were observed in the changes in mean plaque plus media (P&M) area, mean lumen area, and mean external elastic membrane (EEM) area from post-stenting to follow-up at both proximal and distal edges between the simvastatin and non-statin group. Although lumen loss within the first 3 mm from each stent edge was primarily due to an increase in P&M area rather than a change in EEM area, and lumen loss beyond 3 mm from each stent edge was due to a combination of increased P&M area and decreased EEM area, no significant differences in changes were observed in P&M, EEM, and lumen area at every 1-mm subsegment between the simvastatin and non-statin group., Conclusions: A usual dose of simvastatin does not inhibit plaque progression and lumen loss and does not affect vascular remodeling in peri-stent reference segments in patients undergoing bare-metal stent implantation.

Background: We investigated the predictors of the no-reflow phenomenon after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients with plaque rupture (PR)., Methods: The study group comprised 112 AMI patients who underwent pre- and post-PCI intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and stent implantation. Angiographic no-reflow was defined as TIMI flow grade 0, 1, and 2 after PCI. IVUS findings included multiple ruptured plaques (PRs separated by a >5-mm length of artery containing smooth lumen contours), thrombus (had a layered lobulated appearance, evidence of blood flow within the mass, and speckling or scintillation), and plaque prolapse (tissue extrusion through the stent struts)., Results: Of 112 patients, no-reflow was observed in 17 patients (15.2%). High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) was significantly higher (6.2+/-6.0 mg/dl vs. 2.2+/-2.9 mg/dl, p=0.002) and baseline TIMI flow grade was significantly lower in no-reflow group (TIMI flow grade<3: 59% vs. 18%, p<0.001). Lesion site plaque plus media area was significantly greater (12.9+/-2.6 mm(2) vs. 10.8+/-4.2 mm(2), p=0.009), remodeling index was significantly higher (1.14+/-0.17 vs. 1.03+/-0.20, p=0.031), and the presence of IVUS-detected thrombus (88% vs. 56%, p=0.012), culprit lesion multiple PRs (71% vs. 37%, p=0.009), and plaque prolapse (65% vs. 34%, p=0.015) were significantly more common in no-reflow group. In the multivariate analysis, plaque prolapse (OR=33.02; 95% CI 3.38-322.75, p=0.003), hs-CRP (OR=1.03; 95% CI 1.01-1.05, p=0.013), and culprit lesion multiple PRs (OR=15.73; 95% CI 1.61-153.46, p=0.018) were independent predictors of post-PCI no-reflow in AMI patients with PR., Conclusions: Elevated hs-CRP and IVUS-detected multiple PRs and plaque prolapse are associated with no-reflow after PCI for PR-containing culprit lesion in infarct-related arteries in AMI patients.

Background: We assessed the impact of remodeling patterns on pre- and post-procedural intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) findings and cardiac enzyme elevation after stenting in 310 acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients., Methods: The positive remodeling (PR) (PR group, n=113) was defined as remodeling index (lesion/reference external elastic membrane cross-sectional area) >1.05, intermediate remodeling (IR) as between 0.95 and 1.05, and negative remodeling (NR) as<0.95 (IR/NR group, n=197). IVUS findings included ruptured plaque (a cavity that communicated with the lumen with an overlying residual fibrous cap fragment), multiple ruptured plaques (different plaque ruptures separated by a >5-mm length of artery containing smooth lumen contours), thrombus (discrete intraluminal filling defects), and plaque prolapse (tissue extrusion through the stent strut at post-stenting). We compared pre- and post-procedural IVUS findings and cardiac-specific troponin I (cTnI) elevation after stenting according to the remodeling pattern., Results: The plaque rupture (60% vs. 42%, p=0.004), multiple plaque ruptures (22% vs. 14%, p=0.014), and IVUS-detected thrombus (42% vs. 28%, p=0.012) were more common in the PR group compared with the IR/NR group. Post-stenting plaque prolapse was observed more frequently (36% vs. 22%, p=0.008), and cTnI was elevated more significantly after stenting in the PR group compared with the IR/NR group (DeltacTnI; +7.8+/-51.1 ng/ml vs. +0.9+/-41.1 ng/ml, p=0.008). Multivariate analysis showed that PR [odds ratio (OR)=1.92; 95% CI 1.04-2.98, p=0.028], plaque rupture (OR 1.98; 95% CI 1.16-3.45, p=0.025), IVUS-detected thrombus (OR 2.30; 95% CI 1.22-3.98, p=0.008), and plaque prolapse (OR 8.40; 95% CI 4.19-16.84, p<0.001) were independently associated with post-stenting cTnI elevation., Conclusions: AMI patients with PR have more plaque vulnerability and higher frequency of plaque prolapse accompanied by post-procedural cardiac enzyme elevation compared with AMI patients with IR/NR.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the incidence, predictors, and outcome of plaque prolapse (PP) after stent implantation in acute myocardial infarction., Background: The imaging characteristics of PP in patients with acute myocardial infarction are not well known., Methods: Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging was performed in 310 patients immediately following stenting for their first acute myocardial infarction. Multiple clinical, angiographic and IVUS derived variables were compared among patients with and without intrastent PP., Results: The PP was detected in 27% of the 310 lesions examined. Stent length was longer (31 +/- 13 mm vs. 21 +/- 8 mm, p < 0.001), and positive remodeling (48% vs. 32%, p = 0.008), plaque rupture (51% vs. 31%, p = 0.001), and thrombus (40% vs. 21%, p = 0.001) were significantly more common in PP lesions compared with non-PP lesions. The creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB) was significantly greater after stenting in PP lesions compared with non-PP lesions (Delta = +12.3 +/- 32.0 U/l vs. -4.9 +/- 46.1 U/l, p = 0.002). During a 1-month follow-up, the incidence of stent thrombosis was not significantly different between PP and non-PP lesions [2/85 (2.4%) vs. 2/225 (0.9%), p = 0.308]. Multivariate analysis showed that PP (odds ratio [OR]: 7.34, p < 0.001), plaque rupture (OR: 1.95, p = 0.023), and thrombus (OR: 1.84, p = 0.026) were independently associated with post-stenting CK-MB elevation, and stent length (OR: 2.39, p = 0.003), plaque rupture (OR: 1.96, p = 0.015), and positive remodeling (OR: 1.72, p = 0.044) were independently associated with the development of PP., Conclusions: PP occurs in one-fourth of infarct-related arteries after stent implantation. Lesion characteristics such as plaque rupture and positive remodeling, together with longer stent predict PP. Although long-term follow-up is pending, PP is associated with more myonecrosis after stenting in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Smaller postprocedural minimum stent areas (MSA) measured by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) have been associated with higher restenosis rates., Methods: This was a single-center, prospective, randomized trial and we assessed the predictive value of MSA for long-term patency and the incidence and extent of incomplete stent apposition (ISA) following abciximab-coated stent (n=69) compared to bare metal stent (BMS) implantation (n=69). All patients underwent IVUS follow-up at 6 months., Results: At follow-up coronary angiogram, the restenosis rate and late loss were 12%, 0.30+/-0.24 mm in abciximab-coated stent group and 29%, 0.68+/-0.36 mm in BMS group (p=0.011, 0.010, respectively). At follow-up IVUS, intrastent lumen area was significantly larger and intrastent neointimal hyperplasia area was significantly smaller in abciximab-coated stent group than those in BMS group (5.9+/-1.6 mm(2) vs. 4.5+/-1.7 mm(2), p=0.001, and 1.9+/-1.5 mm(2) vs. 3.3+/-1.9 mm(2), p<0.001, respectively). Target lesion revascularization occurred in 9%, 0%, and 0% in abciximab-coated stent group and 19%, 4%, and 1% in BMS group in lesions with a MSA <6.0 mm(2), from 6 to 7.5 mm(2), and >7.5 mm(2), respectively. Late-acquired ISA at follow-up was observed in 7 patients and there was no difference in the incidence of ISA between both groups [abciximab-coated stent: n=3 (4%) vs. BMS: n=4 (6%), p=0.698]., Conclusion: Abciximab-coated stent reduced restenosis and had a considerably lower optimal MSA threshold compared to BMS and showed lower incidence of late-acquired ISA.

The no-reflow phenomenon after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is associated with larger infarct size, worse functional recovery, and higher incidence of complication after acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The aim of this study was to assess the relation between preprocedural N-terminal pro-brain-type natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) and angiographic no-reflow phenomenon. We measured preprocedural serum NT-pro-BNP level in 159 consecutive patients with acute STEMI (aged 63 +/- 12 years; 72% men) before PCI. Angiographic no-reflow after PCI was defined as Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade <3. Baseline characteristics, including time from chest pain onset, between the no-reflow (n = 67) and normal-reflow groups (n = 92) were similar. NT-pro-BNP was significantly higher in the no-reflow group than the normal reflow group (1,982 +/- 3,314 vs 415 +/- 632 pg/ml; p = 0.005). Also, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, monocytes, and troponin-T were significantly higher in the no-reflow group than the normal-reflow group. In the no-reflow group, NT-pro-BNP was much higher in patients with TIMI flow grade 0 (n = 41; 2,290 +/- 3,495 pg/ml) than those with TIMI grade 1 or 2 (n = 26; 1,575 +/- 2,340 pg/ml), but without significant difference. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve for NT-pro-BNP was 0.78, and the optimal cut-off value identified using receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis was 500 pg/ml. At the standard cut-off value of >500 pg/ml, increased NT-pro-BNP showed a high probability of no-reflow phenomenon (odds ratio 4.42, 95% confidence interval 1.15 to 17.00, p = 0.028). In conclusion, preprocedural NT-pro-BNP may be a strong predictor of the development of no-reflow phenomenon after PCI in patients with acute STEMI.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) on in-stent restenosis (ISR) in bare and sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) in a porcine myocardial infarction model., Background: Using G-CSF to mobilize stem cells has shown promise in infarcted heart. However, G-CSF may aggravate ISR and an aggressive strategy to prevent ISR is needed., Methods: Bare stents and SES were implanted in coronary arteries (Group I, bare stents; Group II, bare stents with G-CSF; Group III, SES; Group IV, SES with G-CSF, n=10 in each group) 72 h after experimental myocardial infarction (MI). G-CSF (10 microg/kg/day) was injected for 7 days from 24 h after stent implantation., Results: In coronary angiographic and histomorphometric analysis, percent area stenosis was significantly increased in Group II compared with that in Group I at 28 days (P<0.05). The ratio of inflammatory cells in the neointima was higher in Group II (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed between Group III and IV. In Group II, phosphorylated signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT)-3, STAT-3, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) showed increased neointimal expression. In porcine aortic smooth muscle cells (PASMC), G-CSF increased the growth rate, migration, STAT-3 phosphorylation, and VEGF, which were suppressed by rapamycin and AG490, a STAT-3 inhibitor., Conclusions: STAT-3 and VEGF are important in the development of enhanced ISR by G-CSF in bare stents. SES could be a good strategy to prevent the G-CSF-stimulated proliferation and migration of smooth muscle cells, which could be responsible for neointimal hyperplasia.

The level of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) is a strong predictor of mortality in patients with acute coronary syndrome and may be a strong prognostic marker in patients with chronic coronary artery disease. We investigated whether NT-pro-BNP could predict in-stent restenosis (ISR) in asymptomatic patients with preserved left ventricular (LV) systolic function who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention. We measured serum NT-pro-BNP levels in 249 patients (61 +/- 9 years of age; 73% men) with preserved LV systolic function (ejection fraction >50%) who underwent follow-up coronary angiography. Initial diagnoses were stable angina in 50 (20%), unstable angina in 133 (53%), and myocardial infarction in 66 (27%). Baseline characteristics between groups with ISR (n = 92) and without ISR (n = 157) were similar. The level of NT-pro-BNP was higher in patients with ISR than in those without ISR (222 +/- 327 vs 94 +/- 136 pg/ml, p = 0.001). In the ISR group, NT-pro-BNP level was higher in patients with left anterior descending coronary artery ISR (n = 53, 312 +/- 479 pg/ml) than in those with left circumflex coronary artery ISR (n = 19, 115 +/- 98 pg/ml, p = 0.018). At the standard cutoff of >200 pg/ml, a high NT-pro-BNP level indicated a high probability of ISR (odds ratio 2.18, 95% confidence interval 1.0 to 4.5, p = 0.038). In multivariate analysis, NT-pro-BNP level was an independent predictor for ISR. In conclusion, NT-pro-BNP could be a predictor of ISR in asymptomatic patients with preserved LV systolic function.

Although various predictors relating to in-stent restenosis (ISR) have been demonstrated, the relation between the parameters of intravascular ultrasound and inflammatory markers and ISR has not been reported. This study included 120 patients who underwent stent implantation for angiographically significant stenosis. Patients were divided into a soft plaque group (n = 50) and a nonsoft plaque group (n = 70). All patients underwent angiographic and intravascular ultrasound follow-up at 6 months. The baseline high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level was significantly higher in the soft plaque group. The follow-up minimal lumen diameter was significantly smaller in the soft plaque group. Soft plaque was detected in 73% of the ISR group but only 27% of the non-ISR group. Also, ISR was observed in 44% of the soft plaque group in contrast to only 11% of the nonsoft plaque group. The neointimal area at the minimal lumen cross-sectional area at follow-up was significantly larger in the soft plaque group (3.7 +/- 1.5 vs 1.9 +/- 1.5 mm2, p < 0.001). In conclusion, in patients with soft plaque, an elevated hs-CRP level was significantly associated with ISR (63% vs 15%, p < 0.001). By multivariate analysis, the combination of soft plaque and elevated hs-CRP was the most significant independent predictor of ISR.

Objectives: This study is a prospective randomized trial investigating clinical outcomes of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) treated with abciximab (ReoPro)-coated stents., Background: Recently we have demonstrated that abciximab-coated stents have inhibitory effects in the prevention of coronary restenosis., Methods: Ninety-six patients with AMI were randomly allocated into two groups; group I received abciximab-coated stents (n = 48, 57.1 +/- 12.0 years), and group II received bare metal control stents (n = 48, 58.4 +/- 11.6 years)., Results: At baseline, clinical characteristics, percent diameter stenosis, and minimal luminal diameter were no different between the two groups. One patient in group II had reinfarction and target lesion reintervention during hospital stay. Follow-up coronary angiography was obtained in 77.1% (37 of 48) in group I and 75.0% (36 of 48) in group II. Percent diameter stenosis and late loss were significantly lower in group I than group II (18.9 +/- 5.54% vs. 37.9 +/- 6.25%, p = 0.008; and 0.39 +/- 0.29 mm vs. 0.88 +/- 0.45 mm; p = 0.008, respectively). At follow-up intravascular ultrasound, intrastent lumen area and intrastent neointimal hyperplasia (NIH) area were 5.4 +/- 1.8 mm2 and 2.2 +/- 1.5 mm2, respectively, in group I and 4.3 +/- 1.6 mm2 and 3.4 +/- 1.8 mm2, respectively, in group II (p = 0.045). And, in-stent restenosis rate was lower in group I than group II (p = 0.011 and p = 0.008, respectively). During 1-year follow-up, two patients in group II (4.1%) had AMI, whereas no patient in group I suffered AMI. Target lesion revascularization and total major adverse cardiac events rates were relatively lower in group I compared with those in group II (10.4% [5 of 48] vs. 20.8% [10 of 48], p = 0.261, and 10.4% vs. 25.0%, p = 0.107, respectively)., Conclusions: Abciximab-coated stent implantation was safe and effective without stent thrombosis in AMI patients.

Background: Recent data indicate that an elevated serum level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) predicts the risk of recurrent coronary events, and that statin therapy decreases the risk of coronary events. This study assessed the relationship between the pre-procedural hs-CRP level and in-stent neointimal hyperplasia (NIH) after stenting and the effects of statins on the relationship between restenosis after stenting and the serum hs-CRP levels of patients with coronary artery disease., Methods and Results: This study included 100 patients who underwent stent implantation for angiographically significant stenosis. Patients were divided into a normal C-reactive protein (CRP) group (<0.5 mg/dl, n=59) and elevated CRP group (>or=0.5 mg/dl, n=41). All patients underwent angiographic and intravascular ultrasound follow-up at 6 months. The baseline CRP level was 0.29+/-0.08 mg/dl in the normal CRP group and 2.90+/-2.31 mg/dl in the elevated CRP group. The NIH cross-sectional area (CSA) in the minimal lumen CSA at follow-up was significantly larger in the elevated CRP group compared with the normal CRP group (1.9+/-1.3 mm2 vs 3.0+/-1.5 mm2, p=0.001). A significant positive correlation was found between pre-interventional CRP level and NIH area (r=0.52, p<0.001). In patients with normal CRP, an association between statin therapy and restenosis was not observed. However, when the analysis was confined to patients with elevated CRP, statin therapy significantly reduced the restenosis rate (20% vs 37.5%, p=0.031). In the normal CRP group, the intra-stent neointimal area at 6 months was not different between the non-statin and statin groups (2.2+/-1.4 mm2 vs 1.8+/-1.1 mm2). However, in the elevated CRP group, statin therapy significantly decreased the neointimal area at 6-month follow-up (3.6+/-1.7 mm2 vs 2.4+/-1.3 mm2, p<0.001)., Conclusion: Measuring the pre-interventional hs-CRP level may help predict the development of restenosis after stenting and statin therapy will significantly reduce the restenosis rate in patients with an elevated hs-CRP.

Background: The mechanism of restenosis after stent implantation principally is neointimal hyperplasia. There is evidence that monocytes play a important role in in-stent restenosis (ISR) after stent implantation., Hypothesis: This study assessed the relationship between preinterventional peak monocyte count and neointimal growth after successful stent implantation., Methods: We performed coronary stent implantation in 85 patients (85 de novo lesions). Peripheral blood sample was obtained in all patients every 12 h before coronary angiography for measurement of peripheral monocytes. All patients received angiographic and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) follow-up at 6 months after stenting., Results: The preinterventional circulating monocyte count was significantly higher in the ISR group than that in the group without ISR (654 +/- 62/vs. 461 +/- 222/mm3, p < 0.001) and was significantly higher in the reintervention group than that in the no-reintervention group (660 +/- 72/ vs. 470 +/- 216/mm3, p< 0.001). The incidence of ISR and repeat intervention associated with preinterventional monocyte count was highest among the patients in the highest tertile, who were at a 2.64-fold increased risk of ISR and 3.22-fold increased risk of repeat intervention compared with the patients in the lowest tertile. A significant positive correlation was found between preinterventional peak monocyte count and preinterventional plaque and media cross-sectional area and follow-up neointima area (r = 0.311, p = 0.007, r = 0.465, p < 0.001, respectively). The neointima area associated with preinterventional monocyte count was largest among the patients in the highest tertile, that is, 2-fold larger than that of the patients in the lowest tertile (p < 0.001) and 1.44-fold larger than that of the patients in the middle tertile (p = 0.001)., Conclusion: Our results suggest that circulating preinterventional monocytes play a principal role in the process of in-stent neointimal growth after successful stent implantation.

Background: Patterns of arterial remodeling during the course of plaque development have been shown to play an important role in both the progression of de novo atherosclerosis and in the restenotic process following coronary intervention. The aim of the present prospective study was to evaluate the effect of pre-interventional arterial remodeling on in-stent neointimal hyperplasia (NIH) and in-stent restenosis (ISR) after stenting., Methods and Results: Pre-interventional arterial remodeling was assessed in 85 native coronary lesions by using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). The remodeling index (RI) was 1.09+/-0.20 in the positive remodeling (PR)/intermediate remodeling (IR) group and 0.84+/-0.12 in the negative remodeling (NR) group. The plaque plus media cross sectional area (P&M CSA) at pre-intervention and NIH CSA at follow-up in the minimal lumen CSA were significantly larger in the PR/IR group (9.2+/-2.9 mm2 vs 6.2+/-1.8 mm2, 3.3+/-1.2 mm2 vs 1.5+/-0.9 mm2; p = 0.001, p = 0.001, respectively). On 3-dimensional analysis of IVUS images at follow-up, the lumen volume was significantly smaller in the PR/IR group than that in the NR group (62+/-15 mm3 vs 75 +/-20 mm3; p = 0.001), and neointima hyperplasia volume was significantly larger in the PR/IR group than that in the NR group (46+/-15 mm3 vs 26+/-10 mm3; p = 0.001). A significant positive correlation was found between pre-interventional RI and follow-up NIH CSA (r = 0.25, p = 0.022). The incidence of ISR and repeat intervention was significantly higher in the PR/IR group (30.8% vs 18.2%, 28.8% vs 15.2%; p = 0.032, 0.035, respectively)., Conclusion: Measuring pre-interventional arterial remodeling patterns by IVUS may be helpful to stratify lesions at high-risk of ISR.

The present study in angulated coronary stenosis used human in vivo hemodynamic parameters and computed simulation, both qualitatively and qualitatively, to evaluate the influence of flow velocity and wall shear stress (WSS) on coronary atherosclerosis, the changes of hemodynamic indices following coronary stenting, and their effect on evolving in-stent restenosis. Initial and follow-up coronary angiographies in patients with angulated coronary stenosis were performed (n=60). The optimal degree of coronary stenting for angulated coronary stenosis had two models, the less than 50% angle changed group (model 1, n=33) and the more than 50% angle changed group (model 2, n=27). This angle change was based on the percentage change of vascular angle between pre- and post-intracoronary stenting. The flow-velocity wave obtained from in vivo intracoronary Doppler study data was used for in vitro numerical simulation. Spatial and temporal patterns of the flow-velocity vector and recirculation area were drawn throughout the selected segment of coronary models. WSS of pre- and post-intracoronary stenting was calculated from three-dimensional computer simulation. As results, follow-up coronary angiogram demonstrated significant difference in the percentage of diameter stenosis between the two groups (group 1: 40.3 +/- 30.2 vs. group 2: 25.5 +/- 22.5%, p < 0.05). Negative shear area on 3D simulation, which is consistent with the re-circulation area of flow vector, was noted on the inner wall of the post-stenotic area before stenting. The negative WSS disappeared after stenting. High spatial and temporal WSS before stenting fell within the range of physiologic WSS after stenting. This finding was more prominent in model 2 (p < 0.01). The present study suggests that hemodynamic forces exerted by pulsatile coronary circulation, termed WSS, might affect the evolution of atherosclerosis within the angulated vascular curvature. Moreover, geometric characteristics, such as the angular difference between pre- and post- intracoronary stenting might define optimal rheologic properties for vascular repair after stenting.