Sirolimus-eluting stent implantation and beta-irradiation for the treatment of in-stent restenotic lesions: comparison of underlying mechanisms of acute gain and late loss as assessed by volumetric intravascular ultrasound.
BACKGROUND
The aim of the study was to compare the angioplasty mechanisms of drug (sirolimus)-eluting stent (DES) implantation and vascular brachytherapy (VBT) for the treatment of in-stent restenosis (ISR) as assessed by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS).


METHODS
We performed IVUS in 53 patients (28 DES, 25 VBT) before and after angioplasty of ISR and at 6-month follow-up. Cross-sectional areas of the external elastic membrane, the stent, and the lumen were measured. Plaque + media, peristent plaque, and intimal hyperplasia areas were calculated, respectively.


RESULTS
Clinical and IVUS baseline characteristics did not differ between groups at baseline. After the index procedure, the lumen at the stent site was smaller in the DES group (DES 6.7 +/- 2.0 mm2 vs VBT 7.5 +/- 2.2 mm2, P = .042). Because of less intimal hyperplasia (DES 0.2 +/- 0.5 mm2 vs VBT 0.7 +/- 0.7 mm2, P = .043), the lumen dimensions revealed no difference between groups at follow-up (DES 6.5 +/- 2.3 mm2 vs VBT 6.8 +/- 2.2 mm2, P = .374). At the reference site, the index procedure led to a similar increase of plaque + media (DES 0.9 +/- 0.9 mm2 vs VBT 0.6 +/- 1.2 mm2, P = .150). At follow-up, the plaque + media was significantly smaller in the DES group (DES 8.0 +/- 6.6 mm2 vs VBT 9.9 +/- 7.8 mm2, P = .013).


CONCLUSIONS
Drug-eluting stent for the treatment of ISR more effectively inhibits neointima formation when compared with VBT. Yet insufficient stent expansion might be a reason for device failure and should be avoided. At the reference site, lumen loss by an increased plaque burden, as has been well recognized following VBT, is not present with DES.
Schiele
Thomas M
TM
Cardiology Division, Hospital of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany. Thomas.Schiele@med.uni-muenchen.de
König
Andreas
A
Rieber
Johannes
J
Erhard
Isabelle
I
Leibig
Marcus
M
Theisen
Karl
K
Siebert
Uwe
U
Klauss
Volker
V
D000368:Aged; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon; D001610:Beta Particles; D001918:Brachytherapy; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D023903:Coronary Restenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D004343:Drug Implants; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020123:Sirolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015607:Stents; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional
D004343:Drug Implants; D020123:Sirolimus