Variable histological and ultrasonic characteristics of restenosis after drug-eluting stents

Int J Cardiol. 2008 Nov 28;130(3):444-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2007.08.143. Epub 2008 Jan 15.

Abstract

Bare-metal stents have undergone intense pathological and clinical examination, but histological characterization of drug-eluting stent (DES) restenosis (ISR) remains unknown. We report a series of cases (n=6) with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and pathological examinations over 8 months after DES deployment. Tissue samples were obtained using atherectomy devices in 5 cases and a thrombectomy catheter in 1 case. Histology revealed not only smooth muscle cell proliferation, which correlated with homogeneous hypoechoic tissue by IVUS in one case, but also demonstrated delayed healing features such as organized fibrin deposition in 3 cases (one with homogeneous echolucent tissue by IVUS), macrophage and T-lymphocyte infiltration in others. IVUS appearance of ISR components varied from echolucent to echodense images. This report suggests a variable histological and IVUS pattern of ISR after DES implantation. Further investigations are necessary to define the potentially pro-thrombotic histological features of ISR after DES implantation, and the relationship between the molecular mechanisms of thrombosis and DES restenosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary*
  • Atherectomy
  • Coronary Disease / pathology
  • Coronary Disease / therapy*
  • Coronary Restenosis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Coronary Restenosis / pathology*
  • Coronary Restenosis / therapy
  • Drug-Eluting Stents*
  • Female
  • Fibrin / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Macrophages / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / pathology
  • T-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Thrombectomy
  • Ultrasonography, Interventional

Substances

  • Fibrin