Plasma levels of C-reactive protein after coronary stent implantation.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to investigate the role of inflammation on the occurrence of angiographic restenosis 6 months after coronary stent implantation and the influence of different kinds of antithrombotic and antiplatelet strategies on inflammation.


RESULTS
In an open randomized trial, 40 consecutive patients were treated with aspirin (100 mg. day(-1)) and either ticlopidine (2x250 mg. day(-1)) (n=17), or phenprocoumon (INR 2.0-3.0) and dipyridamole (3x160 mg. day(-1)) (n=23) after successful elective coronary stent implantation. Plasma levels of C-reactive protein were determined one day before stent implantation and serially thereafter twice daily up to 120 h. C-reactive protein plasma levels increased significantly (P<0.0001) after stent implantation. Phenprocoumon and dipyridamole or ticlopidine had no effect on C-reactive protein plasma levels (P=0.51) or the occurrence of angiographic restenosis (P=0.48). C-reactive protein plasma levels were significantly higher in patients with lesion type C compared to types A or B (P=0.035), respectively. C-reactive protein plasma levels were significantly higher and mean shoulder levels occurred 48 h later in patients with restenosis compared to patients without restenosis after 6 months (P=0.038).


CONCLUSIONS
Elevated C-reactive protein plasma levels still persisting 96 h after stent implantation might reflect a prolonged inflammatory reaction to coronary stent implantation which might causally be involved in pathophysiological mechanisms leading to restenosis.
Department of Cardiology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
M
M
Gottsauner-Wolf
G
G
Zasmeta
S
S
Hornykewycz
M
M
Nikfardjam
E
E
Stepan
P
P
Wexberg
G
G
Zorn
D
D
Glogar
P
P
Probst
G
G
Maurer
K
K
Huber
D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D004176:Dipyridamole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006083:Graft Occlusion, Vascular / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010644:Phenprocoumon / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011379:Prognosis; D015607:Stents; D013988:Ticlopidine / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000925:Anticoagulants; D015415:Biomarkers; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D004176:Dipyridamole; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D013988:Ticlopidine; D010644:Phenprocoumon; D001241:Aspirin