Platelets and restenosis.
Restenosis is currently the major limitation of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Factors such as elastic recoil, migration of vascular smooth muscle cells from media to intima, neointimal proliferation and vascular remodeling underly the restenotic process. Presently there is no effective therapy available for restenosis. The role of platelets in the development of thrombosis and abrupt closure after PTCA is well recognized. However, the effects of platelets in PTCA extend well beyond the early phase. Although antiplatelet agents such as glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonists have been reported to reduce target vessel revascularization, major unresolved controversies still exist. This report reviews the potential role of platelets in restenosis. Various drugs, successfully tested in experimental studies and in a small number of human studies, that inhibit the effect of platelets on the restenotic process are also reviewed.
Chandrasekar
B
B
Division of Interventional Cardiology, Montreal Heart Institute, Montreal, Canada.
Tanguay
J F
JF
D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000009:adverse effects; D000818:Animals; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002455:Cell Division; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D015539:Platelet Activation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000473:pathology
D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor