[Ultrastructural and proliferation studies of human, catheter atherectomy extracted plaque material]

Atherectomy with a Simpson catheter enables a detailed characterization of percutaneously removed human atheromatous plaque material. Cell biological investigations (flow-cytometric analyses, cell type-specific antibodies, immunohistological labelling methods of selected extracellular matrix proteins) are aimed at a comparative characterization of excised material from primary lesions and restenoses to yield further insight into the mechanisms of plaque formation. First results on 17 specimens would like to contribute to a better understanding of the structure and composition of the extracellular matrix and their interaction with cells in atherosclerotic plaques.