Restenosis following coronary angioplasty

The last decade has witnessed an enormous increase in the use and success of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. During this time, our knowledge of the mechanisms of angioplasty and of how it relates to the pathophysiology of restenosis has also grown. Despite our better understanding of the mechanisms responsible for it, restenosis remains a significant problem in coronary angioplasty, affecting approximately one third of patients. A variety of factors can affect the measured rate of restenosis, such as the symptomatic status of the patient and the timing of restenosis studies. Certain clinical, anatomic, and procedural factors are associated with increased rates of restenosis. Pharmacologic interventions are ineffective in preventing restenosis. A variety of new mechanical devices are being developed, but their efficacy at this time does not appear to be superior to angioplasty alone. While attempts at preventing restenosis have thus far been unsuccessful, the information gained through the various studies has added tremendously to our knowledge base of angioplasty. Through this better understanding of the mechanisms of angioplasty and restenosis, it is likely that the problem of restenosis will be improved, either through existing technology or by methods yet to be discovered.