Clinical applications of brachytherapy for the prevention of restenosis

Restenosis remains the bane of percutaneous coronary intervention. Local delivery of radiation, brachytherapy, is a promising therapy for the prevention of restenosis. Animal studies have suggested that brachytherapy may be an effective treatment for preventing restenosis. The type of radiation as well as the doses and delivery systems are currently under study; several clinical trials are underway. This paper reviews the biological basis, including animal studies, of intracoronary brachytherapy as well as the current data from clinical trials.