Does a carbon ion-implanted surface reduce the restenosis rate of coronary stents?
BACKGROUND
Neointimal hyperplasia and resulting restenosis limit the long-term success of coronary stenting. Heavy metal ions induce an inflammatory and allergic reaction, and result in in-stent restenosis. However, a carbon ion-implanted surface might prevent heavy metal ions from diffusing into surrounding tissue.


METHODS
140 lesions in 140 patients with coronary lesions underwent implantation of carbon-implanted surface stents (Arthos(inert) stent group, n=70) or control stents (Arthos stent group, n=70). The primary end point was the in-stent restenosis and the secondary end point was the value of hs-CRP at 48 h and 6 months after coronary stenting. Clinical and angiographic follow-ups were performed at 6 months.


RESULTS
The rate of in-stent restenosis was lower in the Arthos(inert) stent group (15.9%, 10/63) than in the Arthos stent group (20.9%, 13/62), but there were no significant differences between both groups (p=0.56). The value of hs-CRP at 48 h was lower in the Arthos(inert) stent group (13.9+/-13.4 mg/dl) than in the Arthos stent group (24.5+/-26.0 mg/dl) with significant differences (p=0.04). However, the differences between two groups were not statistically significant at 6 months (p=0.76).


CONCLUSIONS
As compared with a standard coronary stent, a carbon ion-implanted stent shows no considerable benefit for the prevention of in-stent restenosis within the range of this study. Despite all the limitations of this study, a positive effect of a carbon ion-implanted stent in reducing inflammatory reaction after coronary revascularization seems likely.
Jung
Jae-Hun
JH
Cardiovascular Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
Min
Pil-Ki
PK
Kim
Jong-Youn
JY
Park
Sungha
S
Choi
Eui-Young
EY
Ko
Young-Guk
YG
Choi
Donghoon
D
Jang
Yangsoo
Y
Shim
Won-Heum
WH
Cho
Seung-Yun
SY
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002244:Carbon; D023903:Coronary Restenosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005352:Fibromuscular Dysplasia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007477:Ions; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D015607:Stents
D007477:Ions; D002244:Carbon; D002097:C-Reactive Protein