[Rate of restenosis after coronary stent implantation depending on regional left ventricular function]

At present the rate of restenosis after PTCA and stent implantation is approximately 30% in clinical routine practice. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of regional disturbances of left ventricular contractility, e.g. due to scars, on the development of restenosis after PTCA and stent implantation. In 310 patients with single stent implantation in the LAD, quantitative coronary angiography and ventricular analysis with the centerline wall motion model (Cardiovascular measurement systems, Medis, The Netherlands) were performed before, immediately after stent implantation and at angiographic follow-up after 3 to 6 months. Thirty-nine percent of all patients (121 patients) showed regional dysfunction of the left ventricular anterior wall. Increase of percent stenosis (relative late lumen loss) between stent implantation and follow-up angiography showed no correlation to left ventricular wall motion abnormalities (r = 0.243). There was no significant difference in restenosis rates between patients with or without left ventricular wall motion abnormalities (28.9% vs. 30.7%, p = 0.74). In conclusion, this study provides evidence that kinetic disorders of the left ventricular wall have no significant influence on long-term results after PTCA and stent implantation.