title: Feasibility of intracoronary beta-irradiation to reduce restenosis after balloon angioplasty. A clinical pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  With the aim of decreasing the incidence of restenosis after coronary balloon angioplasty, we developed a technique of intracoronary beta-irradiation using an endoluminally centered pure metallic 90Y source. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the clinical feasibility and safety profile of this approach with a dose of 18 Gy delivered to the inner arterial surface.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between June 21 and November 15, 1995, fifteen patients (6 women and 9 men; mean age, 71 +/- 5 years) underwent intracoronary beta-irradiation immediately after a conventional percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) procedure. The PTCA/irradiation procedure was technically feasible in all attempted cases, and the delivery of the 18 Gy dose was accomplished without complications. In 4 patients, the intervention was completed through intra-arterial stent implantation because of dissection induced by the initial PTCA. During the follow-up period of 178 +/- 17 days (range, 150 to 225 days), no complication occurred that could be attributed to radiation therapy. No aneurysm or angiographically detectable thrombus was observed in any of the irradiated arterial segments. The clinical event rate (4 of 15 patients underwent further target lesion revascularization) and the angiographic follow-up (6 of 15 patients had a > 50%-diameter stenosis at the previously treated site) did not suggest a marked impact on the expected restenosis rate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This early experience demonstrates that our approach is feasible, and no side effects attributable to radiation were noted during a 6-month period of follow-up. Whether higher doses of beta-irradiation will favorably affect post-PTCA restenosis in patients must await further evaluation.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Center, University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Verin
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Urban
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Popowski
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schwager
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nouet
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Dorsaz
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chatelain
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kurtz
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Rutishauser
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000787:Angina Pectoris; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D001610:Beta Particles; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D015607:Stents; D013997:Time Factors; D015021:Yttrium Radioisotopes
chemical_list: D015021:Yttrium Radioisotopes