Restenosis following percutaneous revascularization--the potential role of thrombin and the thrombin receptor.
Thrombin is present at sites of vascular injury and elicits many effects which may contribute to neointimal growth. Further studies are needed to order to determine steps involved in thrombin-induced effects and to identify potential sites to regulate these effects. The failure of the Helvetica trial to demonstrate an effect of treatment with hirudin on restenosis may relate more to our inability to safely inhibit thrombin than to a lack of a role for thrombin in restenosis. A therapy which enables safe and effective control of thrombin-induced responses following vascular injury may yet prove effective at reducing restenosis following percutaneous coronary revascularization.
Stouffer
G A
GA
Division of Cardiology, John Sealy Hospital, UTMB-Galveston 77555, USA.
Schmedtje
J F
JF
Gulba
D
D
Huber
K
K
Bode
C
C
Aaron
J
J
Runge
M S
MS
D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000818:Animals; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D018179:Receptors, Thrombin / Q000378:metabolism*; D013917:Thrombin / Q000378:metabolism*
D018179:Receptors, Thrombin; D013917:Thrombin