ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the effects of Cypher~(TM) Stent on endothelium regeneration and platelet activation after angioplasty. Methods Six mongrel dogs were implanted Cypher~(TM) stent and Bx sonic stent in the same artery.The target vessels were ablated after angiography and observed by scanning electron microscope at one month and three months after implantation of stents respectively.Result At one month,target vessels of Cypher~(TM) stent were covered with endothelium partly and platelet activation was observed.Target vessels of Bx sonic stent were entirely covered with endothelium and platelet activation wasn't observed.Three months later,target vessels of Cypher~(TM) stent and Bx sonic stent were entirely covered with endothelium and there was no platelet activation on the vessel surface for both groups.Conclusion Endothelium regeneration after implantation of Cypher~(TM) stent was much slower than that of implantation of bare metallic stent,and at three months,the endothelialization was finished.Intensive anti-platelet therapy should be considered after implantation of Cypher~(TM) stent.