title: [Reduction in the rates of restenosis after coronary angioplasty with simvastatin and probucol].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The restenosis rates after coronary angioplasty persist as an important problem even though multiple drug therapies and different devices have been tried. The reduction of the cholesterol and low density lipoproteins levels (and their oxidation) have proved to have a beneficial effect on atherosclerosis evolution. Both the lipid lowering and antioxidant agents have caused a reduction in the neointimal formation generated with the angioplasty balloon in animals, and their combination to improve endothelial dysfunction in humans. The aim of the present study is to prove whether the whole administration of two potent agents such as simvastatin and probucol, which reduce the lipid levels and their oxidation, are able to lessen the restenosis related process.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty five consecutive patients with coronary angioplasty with no stent to whom 20 mg simvastatin and 500 mg probucol bid were given (group-A) were studied in a prospective non-randomized study. They were compared to a historic group of 40 patients under the standard treatment (group-B). Both groups were angiographically evaluated to determine the restenosis percentage. A lipid profile was performed on group-A patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The restenosis occurred in 4 (11.4%) in group-A and in 17 (42.5%) in group-B patients and in 4 (10.0%) and 18 (39.1%) lesions respectively (p < 0.01). A new PTCA was performed on 2 (5.7%) group-A patients vs 13 (32.5%) in group-B (p < 0.01). There was a reduction in residual stenosis (34.2 +/- 19.7% vs 48.8 +/- 23.5%, p < 0.01) and a greater minimum luminal diameter (1.76 +/- 0.59 vs 1.46 +/- 0.70 mm, p < 0.05) in group-A than in group-B patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although studies with more patients are required, a combined lipid lowering and antioxidant therapy could achieve a reduction in angioplasty coronary restenosis.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital Regional Universitario Infanta Cristina, Badajoz. merchanh@jet.es
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Merchán Herrera
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: López Mínguez
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Alonso Ruiz
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Escola
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Címbora Ortega
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Poblador Curto
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Redondo Méndez
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Romero Santisteban
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Geniz Gallardo
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: González Fernández
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Millán Núñez
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000009:adverse effects; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011341:Probucol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D002784:Cholesterol; D019821:Simvastatin; D011341:Probucol