[The experimental observation on the procedure of atherosclerotic restenosis following PTCA]

Angioplasty of stenotic iliac artery was performed in 23 Japanese white rabbits. Angiography and histopathology examinations were performed one day (6 rabbits), 3 days (5 rabbits), one week (5 rabbits) and one month (7 rabbits) after dilation. TXB/PGF in blood was analyzed with radio-immunologic method. TXB/6-K-PGF increased at 1st day, began to reduce at 3rd day, became almost normal after one week and returned to normal level week after one month. Restenosis occurred in all animals. Platelet aggregation and mural thrombi were observed at 1st and 3rd day. New endothelial cells covered the surface of denuded endothelium at 3rd day. At 7th day, repairing of endothelium was completed and proliferation of smooth muscle cells were prominent in new intimia. Stenosis of lumen occurred again after 1 month. The results suggested that intimia injury during the procedure initiates the process of restenosis and aggregation of platelets, imbalance of between TXA and PGI is and proliferation of smooth muscle cells play important roles in the formation of restenosis.