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C-reactive protein (CRP) is an inflammatory marker that predicts cardiac events in patients with coronary syndromes. However, data on the relationship between the CRP level and in-stent restenosis are contradictory. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between the basal CRP level and the neointimal hyperplasia volume measured by intracoronary ultrasound 4 months after implantation of a zotarolimus-eluting stent.The study included 40 consecutive patients who underwent zotarolimus-eluting stent implantation. Patients were divided into quartiles according to their preprocedural CRP level. Intracoronary ultrasound was performed after stent implantation and at 4 months, and the neointimal hyperplasia volume was determined using Simpson's rule. Correlation and linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the relationships between variables. Multivariate analysis was used to identify variables that were independently related to neointimal hyperplasia volume.The patients' mean age was 58 (8) years, 55% were male, and 40% had diabetes mellitus. There was no difference in baseline characteristics between the quartiles. The hyperplasia volumes were 4.8 (4.2) microl and 15.8 (10.0) microl in the first and fourth quartiles, respectively (P.001). There was a significant positive correlation between the CRP level and neointimal hyperplasia volume (r = 0.64, P=.0001). The CRP level, the postimplantation lumen volume, and the final deployment pressure were all independent predictors of neointimal hyperplasia.In this study, an independent correlation was observed between the CRP level before zotarolimus-eluting stent implantation and the neointimal hyperplasia volume at 4-month follow-up.

We report one-year angiographic and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) outcomes of in-stent restenosis (ISR) patients treated with intravascular brachytherapy (IVBT). The benefit of IVBT for treating ISR is well documented. However, few data exist on significant angiographic and intravascular ultrasonic in-stent lumen deterioration beyond the habitual 6-month analysis after the index radiation procedure or so-called late catch-up process in the treatment of ISR. Twenty-five consecutive patients with ISR were treated with IVBT using the Beta-Cath System (a 40 mm 90 Sr per 90 gamma source). Quantitative angiographic and IVUS analysis was performed in all of them at 6 and 12 months. IVBT was successful in all patients. Four patients (16%) developed recurrent angiographic binary restenosis at 6-month follow-up, all located within the adjacent reference segments, with 2 being associated with geographical miss. An additional 4 patients (16%) presented with recurrent ISR at 12-month follow-up, all within the stented segment. Significant in-stent lumen loss (0.16 +/- 0.42 mm to 0.34 +/- 0.46 mm; p = 0.008) and in-stent intimal hyperplasia growth (+11.2 +/- 0.48 mm3; p = 0.03) was observed between 6 and 12 months. Intracoronary beta-radiation for the treatment of ISR was associated with significant luminal deterioration (late catch-up) within the stents between 6 and 12 months due to an important late progression of in-stent intimal hyperplasia.

To assess the safety and efficacy of intracoronary brachytherapy using the Beta-Cath system for preventing recurrence of in-stent restenosis (ISR), by analyzing clinical, angiographic, and intracoronary ultrasound (ICUS) results.This study assessed 30 patients with ISR in native coronary arteries who underwent balloon catheter angioplasty followed by intracoronary beta radiation with the Beta-Cath system (90Sr/Y).The study comprised complex, extensive (18.66 +/- 4.15 mm) restenotic lesions, 77% of which were of the diffuse-proliferative type. Brachytherapy was successful in 100% of the cases. The mean radiation dose used was 20.7 +/- 2.3 Gy, released for a mean period of 3.8 +/- 2.1 minutes. On late follow-up, the in-stent minimum luminal diameter (MLD) slightly decreased (from 1.98 +/- 0.30 mm to 1.84 +/- 0.39 mm at 6 months; P=0.13), with a late loss of 0.14 +/- 0.18 mm. The intrasegmentary MLD was significantly smaller than the in-stent diameter (1.55 +/- 0.40 mm vs 1.84 +/- 0.39 mm; P=0.008), and was associated with a more significant late loss (0.40 +/- 0.29 mm vs 0.14 +/- 0.18 mm; P=0.0001). On ICUS, a mild increase of 6.8 +/- 14.3 mm3 in the neointimal tissue was observed at 6 months (P=0.19), and the percentage of volumetric obstruction increased by 4.7 +/- 7.5%. Binary restenosis and revascularization of the target vessel recurred in 17% of the cases; late occlusion associated with myocardial infarction occurred in 1 case (3%). Event-free survival was 80%.The management of in-stent restenosis with intracoronary beta radiation proved to be a safe and effective procedure, with a high rate of immediate success, representing a therapeutic option for inhibiting neointimal hyperplasia.