The extent of late in-stent neointima formation is modified by treatment with pravastatin: a preliminary study with intravascular ultrasound.
BACKGROUND
The aim of the present comparative, non-randomized intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) study was to test the effect of pravastatin on late neointima formation in stented de novo lesions.


METHODS
The treatment group consisted of 28 consecutive patients in whom 31 stents were deployed; all patients were prescribed 40 mg daily of pravastatin for a mean follow-up period of 14 +/- 3 months (group 1). The control group consisted of 27 consecutive patients in whom 30 stents were deployed; lipid-lowering treatment was not prescribed; the mean follow-up period for this group of patients was 13 +/- 3 months (group 2). At follow-up IVUS images were acquired at a continuous 0.5 mm/s speed. IVUS measurements of the lumen area, stent area and neointima area were calculated within the stent at 0.5 mm intervals.


RESULTS
The stent dimensions and technique of implantation were similar in the two groups. At follow-up the minimal lumen diameter at quantitative coronary angiography was slightly larger in group 1 than in group 2 (2.43 +/- 0.58 vs 2.17 +/- 0.59 mm, p = NS), while the late loss tended to be lower in group 1 than in group 2 (0.28 +/- 0.39 vs 0.63 +/- 0.37 mm, p = NS). At IVUS evaluation, the lumen and stent areas were similar in the two groups whereas the percent neointima area was significantly lower in group 1 than in group 2 (21 +/- 11 vs 29 +/- 11% respectively, p < 0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
Pravastatin treatment was associated with a significantly reduced late in-stent neointima formation as assessed at IVUS.
Prati
Francesco
F
Cath Lab, San Giovanni Hospital, Rome, Italy. f.prati@libero.it
Morocutti
Giorgio
G
Bernardi
Guglielmo
G
Sommariva
Luigi
L
Tomai
Fabrizio
F
Pagano
Antonio
A
Parma
Antonio
A
Boccanelli
Alessandro
A
Fioretti
Paolo
P
D000368:Aged; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D023903:Coronary Restenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017035:Pravastatin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012307:Risk Factors; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects*; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional
D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D017035:Pravastatin