Head-to-head comparison of prasugrel versus ticagrelor in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to compare the efficacy and safety of prasugrel and ticagrelor in patients with coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). BACKGROUND: Evidence from randomized head-to-head comparison between prasugrel and ticagrelor is rare regarding clinical endpoints. METHODS: PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were queried with the terms "prasugrel," "ticagrelor," and "randomized." Relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or the same terms were also surveyed using clinicaltrials.gov, escardio.org, pcronline.org, and tctmd.com. The clinical endpoints were death, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and stent thrombosis (ST) for efficacy, and any bleeding for safety. RESULTS: A total number of 2068 patients in 12 RCTs, whose longest follow-up period was 6 months, was included in this study. The risks of death (odds ratio [OR]: 0.86, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.46-1.62, P = 0.647), MI (OR: 1.61, 95%CI: 0.71-3.62, P = 0.252), stroke (OR: 1.45, 95%CI: 0.25-8.36, P = 0.680), and ST (OR: 0.76, 95%CI: 0.20-2.81, P = 0.677) were similar between prasugrel and ticagrelor, respectively. While the incidence of bleeding according to the Bleeding Academic Research Consortium definitions was also comparable (OR: 0.83, 95%CI: 0.45-1.52, P = 0.539), that according to the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction criteria was lower in prasugrel than ticagrelor (OR: 0.49, 95%CI: 0.24-0.97, P = 0.042). CONCLUSIONS: Although the efficacy was similar between prasugrel and ticagrelor, prasugrel may be associated with a lower risk of bleeding compared with ticagrelor during short- to mid-term follow-up period after PCI. Further studies are warranted in a larger patient population during longer-term follow up to validate these findings.

Long-term outcomes of biodegradable polymer biolimus-eluting stents versus durable polymer everolimus-eluting stents: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Both biodegradable polymer biolimus-eluting stents (BP-BES) and biocompatible durable polymer everolimus-eluting stents (DP-EES) have been developed to decrease the risk of late adverse events. However, their efficacy and safety beyond 1year after stent deployment still remain controversial. METHODS: We conducted a meta-analysis on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing BP-BES with DP-EES in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention in long-term follow up (beyond 1year), and compared the pooled estimates with those in mid-term follow up (within 1year). RESULTS: Eight RCTs were included in this meta-analysis. The risks in BP-BES versus DP-EES of death (odds ratio (OR): 1.06, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.86-1.31, p=0.557 for long-term; OR: 1.09, 95% CI: 0.76-1.56, p=0.645 for mid-term), myocardial infarction (OR: 1.06, 95% CI: 0.84-1.35, p=0.628 for long-term; OR: 1.04, 95% CI: 0.81-1.33, p=0.778 for mid-term), and definite or probable stent thrombosis (OR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.51-1.57, p=0.695 for long-term; OR: 1.36, 95% CI: 0.66-2.81, p=0.400 for mid-term) were comparable in each follow up, respectively. In contrast, the risk of target vessel revascularization (TVR) tended to be higher in BP-BES as compared to DP-EES in long-term follow up (OR: 1.15, 95% CI: 0.97-1.37, p=0.098 for long-term; OR: 1.09, 95% CI: 0.87-1.36, p=0.447 for mid-term). CONCLUSIONS: Although the overall clinical outcomes were similar between BP-BES and DP-EES, BP-BES may be associated with higher risk of TVR up to 3years after stent deployment compared with DP-EES. Further studies are warranted in larger populations of patients during longer-term follow up.

Cilostazol added to aspirin and clopidogrel reduces revascularization without increases in major adverse events in patients with drug-eluting stents: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: The effects of cilostazol added to aspirin and clopidogrel (triple antiplatelet therapy: TAT) on clinical outcomes after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation are unknown. METHODS: We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing TAT with aspirin and clopidogrel (dual antiplatelet therapy: DAT) in DES patients. Clinical end points were target lesion (TLR) and/or vessel (TVR) revascularization, death, myocardial infarction (MI), stent thrombosis (ST), bleeding, rash, gastrointestinal (GI) side effects, and drug discontinuation. We calculated the pooled estimate based on a fixed-effects model using Peto odds ratio (OR) for rare events. If heterogeneity was observed across an individual RCT, an analysis based on a random-effects model was performed. RESULTS: Eight RCTs were included in this meta-analysis, involving 3590 patients (TAT:DAT=1800:1790). Up to 24 months, TAT showed a significant reduction in TLR (OR: 0.58, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.43 to 0.78, p<0.001) and TVR (OR: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.40 to 0.83, p=0.003) compared with DAT. The incidence of death, MI, ST, or overall or major bleeding was comparable between the 2 groups, whereas the proportion of rash (OR: 2.50, 95% CI: 1.52 to 4.10, p<0.001), GI side effects (OR: 3.14, 95% CI: 1.79 to 5.50, p<0.001), or drug discontinuation (OR: 6.81, 95% CI: 2.12 to 21.86, p<0.001) was higher in TAT than DAT. CONCLUSIONS: In this meta-analysis, TAT was associated with significantly effective outcomes for TLR and TVR without any increase in major adverse events but was associated with tolerance issues compared with DAT after DES implantation.

Impact of donor-transmitted atherosclerosis on early cardiac allograft vasculopathy: new findings by three-dimensional intravascular ultrasound analysis.

BACKGROUND: The influence of donor-transmitted coronary atherosclerosis (DA) on plaque progression during the first year after cardiac transplantation (Tx) is unknown. METHODS: Serial 3-dimensional intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) studies were performed within 8 weeks (baseline; BL) and at 1 year after Tx in 38 recipients. On the basis of maximum intimal thickness (MIT) at BL, recipients were divided into DA group (DA+; MIT≥0.5 mm, n=23) or non-DA group (DA-; MIT<0.5 mm, n=15). Plaque, lumen, and vessel volume indexes were calculated by volume/measured length (mm/mm) in the left anterior descending artery. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were attempted to reveal clinical predictors of change in coronary dimensions. RESULTS: During the first year after Tx, plaque volume index increased significantly in DA+ group, but did not change in DA- Group (DA+, 3.0±1.5 to 4.1±1.5 mm/mm, P<0.0001: DA-, 1.2±0.4 to 1.3±0.5 mm/mm, P=0.53). In both groups vessel volume index decreased significantly (DA+, 16.3±3.6 to 14.6±3.3 mm/mm, P=0.003: DA-, 13.5±4.1 to 12.0±3.3 mm/mm, P=0.01), as did lumen volume index (DA+, 13.2±3.1 to 10.5±2.7 mm/mm, P<0.0001: DA-, 12.2±3.7 to 10.7±3.0 mm/mm, P=0.004). Univariate and multivariate regression analyses revealed that DA was one of the strongest predictors for plaque progression. CONCLUSIONS: DA was associated with significant plaque progression during the first year after Tx, and in conjunction with negative remodeling, may be an important determinant of cardiac allograft vasculopathy.

Serial angiographic and intravascular ultrasound analysis of late stent strut fracture of sirolimus-eluting stents in native coronary arteries.

BACKGROUND: Stent fracture in sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) has been reported to be associated with late adverse events. However, a suitable method to diagnose stent fracture is not fully elucidated. METHODS: One hundred and two consecutive SES implantations were performed in 83 lesions in 56 patients and underwent serial angiography with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) at baseline and at 6 months follow-up. Angiographic stent strut fracture was defined as stent bending with separation of stent struts. Angiographic hinge movement was defined as stent shaft deviation without separation of stent struts. IVUS stent strut dissociation was defined as the disappearance of stent struts in more than one cross-sectional image which were previously visualized at baseline. RESULTS: By angiography, no cases of stent fracture were detected at 6 months. One case of angiographic hinge movement was found at 12 months. However, three instances of stent fracture were detected by IVUS at 6 months. One case of stent fracture showed a patent lumen area at 6 months but subsequently developed late stent restenosis at 12 months. The other two cases were associated with in-stent restenosis at 6 months. CONCLUSION: Compared to angiography, IVUS can more reliably detect stent fracture during follow-up evaluation.

Determinants of lumen loss between years 1 and 2 after cardiac transplantation.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported that negative remodeling, not plaque progression, correlated with lumen loss during the first year after cardiac transplantation and that cytomegalovirus antibody seropositivity correlated with increased negative remodeling and greater lumen loss. Whether these findings persist between years 1 and 2 after transplantation is unknown. METHODS: Serial 3-dimensional intravascular ultrasound analysis in the left anterior descending coronary artery was performed in 30 cardiac transplant recipients at year 1 and 2 after transplantation. Vessel, lumen, and plaque area were determined at 0.5-mm axial intervals in the first 50 mm of the left anterior descending coronary artery, and volumes were computed using Simpson's method. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify clinical predictors of change in coronary dimensions. RESULTS: Although mean vessel area did not change (13.6+/-3.4 to 13.4+/-3.3 mm/mm(3), P=0.45), mean plaque area increased (3.4+/-2.3 to 3.8+/-2.2 mm/mm(3), P=0.012), resulting in significant mean lumen area loss (10.3+/-2.5 to 9.6+/-2.3 mm/mm(3), P=0.016). However, the degree of luminal change strongly correlated with the degree of change in vessel size (R=0.81, P<0.0001), but not with change in plaque amount (R=-0.19, P=0.32). In fact, in 57% of the patients who demonstrated lumen loss, negative remodeling contributed more to lumen loss than did plaque progression. Diabetes at 2 years was the only significant independent clinical predictor of plaque progression and lumen loss. CONCLUSION: Despite significant plaque progression, negative remodeling correlated with coronary lumen loss between years 1 and 2 after cardiac transplantation.

Design criteria for the ideal drug-eluting stent.

The deployment of drug-eluting stents (DESs) is an integral treatment option for patients with coronary artery disease. Although the development and testing of the first-generation DESs focused to a considerable degree on efficacy parameters, including restenosis, recent concerns over late clinical events have prompted a refinement of the design criteria for succeeding generations of these devices. This review assesses design criteria for the ideal DES from 3 complementary perspectives: deliverability, efficacy, and safety. Most new investigational balloon-expandable DES systems have lowered crossing profiles by thinning stent struts using a cobalt chromium alloy, while investigational self-expanding DESs often use nitinol as the platform material. Stents designed to be fully biodegradable are also being developed, with deliverability and performance to be determined in future clinical trials. Refinements in bifurcation-dedicated stents will secure branch accessibility to offer better deliverability in complex lesion morphologies. Experimentation in stent design is already realizing multiple-lesion stenting and the in situ customization of stent length. Rather than simply targeting further reductions in restenosis rates, efforts to improve efficacy are shifting toward a lesion-specific approach, including the design of stents dedicated to bifurcation lesions. Another future direction is a disease-specific approach, or an approach using DESs as local drug-delivery devices. The identification of long-term safety issues with the first-generation DESs has reignited clinical interest in the development of stents that are more biologically based, including fully biodegradable stents and stents using biomimetic and biodegradable polymers. Important performance criteria for future DES agents include more cell-type specificity, broader safety margins, and greater facility at promoting endothelialization and healing.

Intravascular ultrasound findings in ENDEAVOR II and ENDEAVOR III.

The results of 2 randomized controlled trials of the Endeavor zotarolimus-eluting stent (ZES; Medtronic Vascular, Santa Rosa, CA) were recently reported: ENDEAVOR II, in which the Endeavor stent was compared with the Driver bare metal stent (BMS; Medtronic Vascular), and ENDEAVOR III, in which the Endeavor stent was compared with the first-generation Cypher sirolimus-eluting stent (SES; Cordis Corporation, Miami Lakes, FL). To examine in detail the vascular responses to the Endeavor stent, serial intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) analyses were performed in subsets of patients in the 2 trials at baseline and 8-month follow-up. The investigators report results for various IVUS parameters and compare those with published results for the first-generation SES and paclitaxel-eluting stent (PES). The ZES demonstrated significantly improved effectiveness and equivalent safety compared with the BMS in ENDEAVOR II. Although the ZES seems to be slightly less effective at inhibiting intimal hyperplasia than the SES and PES, early results are indicative of an acceptable safety profile. This finding may be due in part to the relatively complete and uniform neointimal coverage associated with the ZES.

Detailed intravascular ultrasound analysis of Zotarolimus-eluting phosphorylcholine-coated cobalt-chromium alloy stent in de novo coronary lesions (results from the ENDEAVOR II trial).

Zotarolimus-eluting phosphorylcholine-coated cobalt-chromium alloy Driver stents (ZES) demonstrated significant reductions in target lesion revascularization rate with few apparent adverse events compared with bare metal stents (BMS; uncoated Driver stents) in a prospective, multicenter, double-blind, randomized controlled trial in de novo coronary lesions. The aim of this study was to examine detailed vascular responses to ZES compared with BMS using serial intravascular ultrasound analysis. A total of 343 patients (ZES n = 178, BMS n = 165) were enrolled in this formal, prespecified intravascular ultrasound substudy of the Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of the Medtronic AVE Zotarolimus-Eluting Driver Coronary Stent in de Novo Native Coronary Artery Lesions (ENDEAVOR II), a prospective, multicenter, double-blind, randomized controlled trial to compare ZES and BMS in de novo native coronary artery lesions. Quantitative and qualitative intravascular ultrasound analyses were performed postprocedurally and at 8-month follow-up in stented and reference segments. ZES showed significantly less neointima, with a larger lumen than BMS at 8 months (percentage neointimal volume 17.6 +/- 10.1% vs 29.4 +/- 17.2%, p <0.0001; maximum percentage neointimal area 32.9 +/- 13.0% vs 47.6 +/- 18.6%, p <0.0001; minimum luminal area 4.9 +/- 1.6 vs 4.0 +/- 1.7 mm(2), p <0.0001) and no unfavorable edge effect. In the 18-mm single stents, ZES showed evenly inhibited neointima compared with BMS. Neither persistent stent-edge dissection nor late-acquired incomplete stent apposition was observed in either group. In conclusion, ZES showed evenly inhibited neointima with no apparent adverse vascular response in stented and reference segments at 8 months compared with BMS.

Neointimal progression and luminal narrowing in sirolimus-eluting stent treatment for bare metal in-stent restenosis: a quantitative intravascular ultrasound analysis.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent restenosis may occur after drug-eluting stent implantation for in-stent restenosis (ISR) of bare metal stents (BMSs), especially in areas involving drug-eluting stent gaps. METHODS: To investigate the details of neointimal progression and luminal narrowing after the treatment of ISR using sirolimus-eluting stents (SESs), serial intravascular ultrasound analysis was performed in 65 patients with ISR at postintervention and at 6-month follow-up. The total stented segment was categorized into 3 compartments: new SES (N), new SES and old BMS overlap (N/O), and old BMS (O). In each of the 190 compartments, serial intravascular ultrasound parameters were analyzed at the cross section of the maximum change in neointimal area (delta neointimal area) from postintervention to follow-up or the minimum lumen area at follow-up if delta neointimal area was 0. Minimum lumen area in each compartment was also investigated serially. RESULTS: At postintervention, lumen area was the smallest in compartment N/O (N 5.8 +/- 1.5, N/O 5.1 +/- 1.3, O 6.0 +/- 1.4 mm2, P = .005). Not only the average of maximum delta neointimal area (N 0.2 +/- 0.4, N/O 0.2 +/- 0.4, O 0.8 +/- 1.0 mm2, P < .0001) but also the frequency of minimum lumen area decreasing from > or = 4.0 mm2 at postintervention to < 4.0 mm2 at follow-up (N 4.0%, N/O 5.1%, O 23.5%, P = .012) was the largest in compartment O. CONCLUSIONS: Neointimal progression and consequent luminal narrowing tend to occur where BMS is uncovered with SES in treatment of ISR, even in the absence of an obvious stenosis at postintervention.

Serial intravascular ultrasonic study of outcomes of coronary culprit lesions with plaque rupture following bare metal stent implantation in patients with angina pectoris.

Coronary culprit lesions with plaque rupture (PR) have been treated with different coronary interventions. However, it is unknown whether the presence of PR affects the restenotic process after coronary intervention. One hundred forty-two patients undergoing coronary bare metal stent implantation were enrolled in the present retrospective analysis. Case selection was based on availability of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and quantitative coronary angiographic examinations at baseline (before and after intervention) and at follow-up. Serial comparative analyses included qualitative and quantitative features of the culprit lesion and reference segments. PR was defined as an intraplaque cavity in communication with the lumen in the presence of a residual, disrupted cap. Patients were categorized according to the presence/absence of PR. Pre-interventional IVUS detected PR in 54 patients (38%). Baseline patient demographics were similar between the +PR and -PR groups. Quantitative IVUS analysis showed higher rates of positive remodeling and larger vessel and plaque areas in the +PR compared with -PR lesions (p <0.001 for all). At follow-up (7.2 +/- 2.6 months), no statistically significant difference was observed between the 2 groups in quantitative coronary angiographic or IVUS measurements. In conclusion, culprit lesions with PR exhibited larger plaque mass and higher rates of positive remodeling at preintervention IVUS examination. However, when treated with bare metal stents, the absence/presence of preintervention PR was not found to affect the rate or severity of in-stent restenosis in these culprit lesions.

Influence of plaque calcium on neointimal hyperplasia following bare metal and drug-eluting stent implantation.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the influence of vessel wall calcium on neointimal hyperplasia (NIH) following bare metal stent (BMS) and drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation. BACKGROUND: While procedural complications with coronary stenting in calcified lesions are well reported, little is known about subsequent NIH on plaque calcium following either BMS or DES implantation. METHODS: In the Study to COmpare REstenosis Rate between QueST and QuaDDS-QP2 (SCORE) trial, 6 months follow-up volumetric intravascular ultrasound data were available for 41 lesions (BMS, 19; DES, 22). NIH thicknesses on superficial, deep, and noncalcified plaque were calculated at every 0.5 mm intervals over the stented segment. Calcified and less-calcified cross-sections were defined as those containing arcs of plaque calcium > or = 90 degrees and < 90 degrees , respectively. RESULTS: In BMS, mean NIH thickness on both superficial (0.24 +/- 0.23 mm) and deep calcium (0.25 +/- 0.21 mm) was significantly smaller than that of noncalcified plaque (0.31 +/- 0.22 mm) (P < 0.0005). NIH area was significantly smaller in calcified cross-sections compared to less-calcified cross-sections (2.1 +/- 1.2 mm2 vs. 3.1 +/- 1.9 mm2, P < 0.0001). While in contrast, in DES, mean NIH thickness was similar, irrespective of the presence or location of calcium (0.03 +/- 0.05 mm vs. 0.03 +/- 0.06 mm vs. 0.03 +/- 0.05 mm, superficial vs. deep vs. noncalcified plaque, P = NS). NIH area was also similar between calcified and less-calcified cross-sections (0.3 +/- 0.6 mm2 vs. 0.3 +/- 0.6 mm2, P = NS). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that while plaque calcium may influence NIH following BMS implantation, NIH suppression using DES does not appear to be affected by the presence or location of calcium.

Predictors of edge stenosis following sirolimus-eluting stent deployment (a quantitative intravascular ultrasound analysis from the SIRIUS trial).

To study the interaction of the sirolimus-eluting stent and vessel margins, we analyzed the intravascular ultrasound parameters in 317 edges of 167 stents having 18 edge stenoses at 8 months of follow-up from the SIRIUS trial. Of the baseline parameters, a larger reference percentage of plaque area and a larger edge stent area/reference minimum lumen area were associated with edge stenosis in the sirolimus-eluting stent cohort compared with the incidence of edge stenosis in the bare metal stent cohort. Thus, full lesion coverage and matching the stented segment properly to the adjacent segment using intravascular ultrasound guidance may improve sirolimus-eluting stent implantation efficacy further.

Late incomplete stent apposition after sirolimus-eluting stent implantation: a serial intravascular ultrasound analysis.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to identify the frequency of incomplete stent apposition (ISA) in sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) and clarify its findings and clinical sequelae. BACKGROUND: Late-acquired ISA has been reported in bare-metal stents (BMS) and brachytherapy and recently in drug-eluting stents. However, the characteristics of late ISA in SES have not been clarified. METHODS: From the SIRIUS trial, a randomized, multicenter study comparing SES and BMS, serial qualitative intravascular ultrasound (IVUS; at stent implantation and eight-month follow-up) was available in 141 patients (BMS: n = 61; SES: n = 80). The IVUS images were reviewed for the presence of ISA. RESULTS: Incomplete stent apposition at follow-up was observed in 19 patients (BMS: n = 6 [9.8%]; SES: n = 13 [16.3%]; p = NS). Among these, 12 had ISA after intervention and at follow-up (persistent ISA). Late-acquired ISA was seen in the remaining seven cases, all from the SES group (BMS: n = 0; SES: n = 7 [8.7%]; p < 0.05). In late-acquired ISA, there was an increase in external elastic membrane area (after intervention: 16.2 +/- 2.7 m2; follow-up: 18.9 +/- 3.6 mm2; p < 0.05). The location of stent-vessel wall separation was primarily at the stent edges in persistent ISA cases, whereas late-acquired ISA in SES occurred mostly in the mid portion of the stent. There were no negative clinical events reported for any ISA cases at 12-month clinical follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Late ISA was observed in 8.7% of patients after SES implantation. There were no negative clinical events associated with this IVUS finding at 12-month clinical follow-up; however, careful long-term follow-up will be necessary.

Comparison of temporary occlusion and aspiration system versus the conventional method during coronary stenting for acute myocardial infarction.

This study evaluated the effects of the temporary occlusion and aspiration device GuardWire on percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction. This device brought about a significant reduction in the no-reflow phenomenon and improvement in ST resolution compared with conventional percutaneous coronary intervention.

Impact of final stent dimensions on long-term results following sirolimus-eluting stent implantation: serial intravascular ultrasound analysis from the sirius trial.

OBJECTIVES: We assessed the predictive value of minimum stent area (MSA) for long-term patency of sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) implantation compared to bare metal stents (BMS). BACKGROUND: Although MSA is a consistent predictor of in-stent restenosis, its predictive value in BMS is still limited because of biologic variability in the restenosis process. METHODS: From the SIRolImUS (SIRIUS) trial, 122 cases (SES: 72; BMS: 50) with complete serial intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) (baseline and 8-month follow-up) were analyzed. Postprocedure MSA and follow-up minimum lumen area (MLA) were obtained. Based on previous physiologic studies, adequate stent patency at follow-up was defined as MLA >4 mm(2). RESULTS: In both groups, a significant positive correlation was observed between baseline MSA and follow-up MLA (SES: p < 0.0001, BMS: p < 0.0001). However, SES showed higher correlation than BMS (0.8 vs. 0.65) with a higher regression coefficient (0.92 vs. 0.59). The sensitivity and specificity curves identified different optimal thresholds of MSA to predict adequate follow-up MLA: 5 mm(2) for SES and 6.5 mm(2) for BMS. The positive predictive values with these cutoff points were 90% and 56%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In this SIRIUS IVUS substudy, SES reduced both biologic variability and restenosis, resulting in increased predictability of long-term stent patency with postprocedure MSA. In addition, SES had a considerably lower optimal MSA threshold compared to BMS.

Late incomplete stent apposition and focal vessel expansion after bare metal stenting.

Late incomplete stent apposition was observed in 2.4% of the 412 stented segments studied by serial intravascular ultrasound analyses. Most of these phenomena and all late vessel expansions with incomplete stent apposition developed in vessels in which lesions were treated by atherectomy before stenting, suggesting a potential association between mechanical injury from debulking and these phenomena.

Late incomplete apposition with excessive remodeling of the stented coronary artery following intravascular brachytherapy.

Intravascular brachytherapy may cause "exaggerated" vessel remodeling with late incomplete apposition in segments that have little disease, which are exposed to higher radiation doses. The long-term clinical impact of this finding is unclear.

Taxol-based eluting stents from theory to human validation: clinical and intravascular ultrasound observations.

Treatment with antiproliferative drugs via coated stents appears to be a promising approach to both mechanically remodel target lesions and biologically reduce neointimal hyperplasia. Drug-eluting stents can maximize local drug effects and minimize the potential for systemic toxic effects. The purpose of this review is to describe the effects of a lipophilic microtubular inhibitor, paclitaxel, a strong antiproliferative agent under clinical investigation, and to define the vascular response to taxol-based eluting stents by intravascular ultrasound.