Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and the cause of 'edge' restenosis after implantation of high activity beta-emitting (55Co) stents. Proton bombarding in cyclotron has brought the radioactivity.
Intravascular ultrasound investigation has been completed in 10 patients. The angiographies performed at 6 month revealed restenosis >50 % in 5 cases.
In conclusion, neither statistically significant positive nor negative remodelling at the 'stent edges', were present. Statistically significant increase in plaque media volume (i.e. neointimal hyperplasia) and reduction in lumen volume were found.
The cause of 'edge restenosis was especially due to increase in plaque+media volume (i.e. neointimal hyperplasia). Probably, main reason for 'edge effect'/neointimal hyperplasia was in this trial sharp fall-off in radiation at the edges of the stents.