Increase in soluble E-selectin level after PTCA and stent implantation: a potential marker of restenosis

E-Selectin is expressed only on activated endothelial cells, and may be used as a marker of endothelial activation. The relationship between soluble form of E-selectin (sE-selectin) and development of restenosis after balloon angioplasty (PTCA) is controversial, and there are no data for after stent implantation. We evaluated the role of serially measured sE-selectin levels in predicting the development of restenosis after PTCA and stent implantation.

In sixty-one patients with stable angina pectoris who underwent PTCA (n=20) or stent implantation (n=41), peripheral blood samples were taken just before (baseline), at 3 and at 24 h after the intervention. sE-Selectin levels were measured by ELISA. Coronary angiography was repeated at 4-6 months after the intervention, and > or =50% stenosis at the site of the intervention was regarded as restenosis. Levels and time course of sE-selectin after the intervention were compared in patients with and those without restenosis.

sE-Selectin levels of the patients with and those without restenosis were similar at each of the three measurements, and significantly increased after the intervention both in the PTCA and stent groups (P<0.001 for both groups). Posthoc analysis showed that sE-selectin levels increased significantly at 3 h after PTCA (P=0.024) and stent implantation (P=0.018), and did not change thereafter in patients with restenosis. In the nonrestenotic group, sE-selectin did not change significantly in the 24 h following PTCA, however, a significant difference was observed only by comparing the values at baseline with those at 24 h after stent implantation (P=0.021).

A substantial increase in sE-selectin levels early (at 3 h) after PTCA and stent implantation may predict development of restenosis.