Prevention of carotid artery restenosis after sirolimus-coated stent implantation in pigs.
OBJECTIVE
To test the feasibility of self-expanding drug-coated nitinol stents for prevention of restenosis in an animal model. Stent implantation in the carotid artery (CA) has been shown to be feasible for treatment of CA stenosis. Even though the restenosis rate in CA is reported to be lower than in the coronary and peripheral arteries, problems may arise with increasing numbers of treated patients and lengthier follow-up.


METHODS
After predilatation with 8-mm balloons, 8 Goettinger minipigs were randomly selected to receive a sirolimus-eluting self-expanding nitinol stent (7 mm/80 mm) as well as the same stent without sirolimus/polymer coating in the right or left CA. Aspirin was given starting 3 days before the intervention and administered for an additional 4 weeks. Clopidogrel was administered for 10 days.


RESULTS
After 6 weeks, 2 subacute occlusions were observed in both groups. In the remaining vessels, the neointima was significantly reduced by sirolimus/polymer-coated stents (5.9+/-2.5 versus 0.7+/-1.0 mm2).


CONCLUSIONS
Sirolimus self-expanding nitinol stents may be an effective tool in reducing neointimal formation in CA.
Tepe
Gunnar
G
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Tuebingen, Germany. gunnar.tepe@med.uni-tuebingen.de
Muschick
Peter
P
Laule
Michael
M
Reddig
Frank
F
Claussen
Claus D
CD
Dinkelborg
Ludger M
LM
Tielemans
Hans
H
Wehrmann
Manfred
M
Duda
Stephan H
SH
D000497:Alloys / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology; D001241:Aspirin / Q000494:pharmacology; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000628:therapy*; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000473:pathology*; D000077144:Clopidogrel; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D023903:Coronary Restenosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D008297:Male; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D020123:Sirolimus / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015607:Stents; D013552:Swine; D013988:Ticlopidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors; D014465:Ultrasonics
D000497:Alloys; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D011108:Polymers; C013616:nitinol; D000077144:Clopidogrel; D013988:Ticlopidine; D001241:Aspirin; D020123:Sirolimus