Atorvastatin stent coating does not reduce neointimal proliferation after coronary stenting.
OBJECTIVE
Statins seem to be suitable for restenosis prevention via reduction of smooth muscle cell proliferation, anti-inflammatory effects, and improvement of endothelial function. The aim of the present study was to test the efficacy of an atorvastatin stent coating for restenosis inhibition in the porcine coronary stent model.


RESULTS
Twenty stents (BiodivYsio Matrix LO, uncoated or with 56 microg atorvastatin load) were implanted in LAD and CX coronary arteries of 10 domestic pigs with an over stretch ratio of 1.25. Quantitative angiography and histomorphometry of the stented arteries asserted statistic equality of the baseline parameters between the control and treatment group. After 28 days, there was no significant difference in parameters describing in-stent restenosis (neointimal area 3.14 +/- 1.13 mm(2) [control] vs. 3.12 +/- 1.07 mm(2) [atorvastatin stent]; p = 0.978). However, there was a trend towards a lower degree of inflammation in the atorvastatin stent group.


CONCLUSIONS
Atorvastatin stent coating showed a trend towards reduced local inflammation near the stent struts, but could not reduce neointimal formation in the porcine coronary over stretch model.
Scheller
B
B
University of Saarland Internal Medicine III, 66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany. bruno.scheller@uniklinik-saarland.de
Schmitt
A
A
Böhm
M
M
Nickenig
G
G
D000287:Administration, Topical; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000295:instrumentation*; D000818:Animals; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D023903:Coronary Restenosis / Q000473:pathology*; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000473:pathology; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000494:pharmacology; D015607:Stents; D013552:Swine
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D011758:Pyrroles; D000069059:Atorvastatin