Restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty: the Emory University Hospital experience

Restenosis after coronary angioplasty, a gradual encroachment of the dilated arterial lumen by overgrowth of neointimal cells, occurs in a minority (25% to 30%) of patients. Clinical and anatomic descriptors of those patients who develop restenosis have been identified and suggest a complex, multifactorial etiology. Optimal initial enlargement of the diameter probably reduces the chance of restenosis on geometric grounds alone. The independent predictive value of a low final translesional pressure gradient indicates that adequate blood flow may reduce platelet adhesion and thrombus formation. The importance of the latter factor remains uncertain. Individual proliferative responses to the intimal and medial injury caused by balloon dilatation appear to be modulated by both lesion-specific and patient factors. Lesion-specific factors appear most important and relate to vessel site, tortuosity and branching. These factors are also thought to influence native atherogenesis but the relation between restenosis and atherogenesis remains obscure. Patient risk factors for coronary artery disease also appear to influence restenosis. Procedural factors and risk factor modification may partially modify the restenosis response; however, prevention of restenosis will depend on finding agents that block either stimulation or proliferation of smooth muscle cells.