Angioscopic differences in neointimal coverage and in persistence of thrombus between sirolimus-eluting stents and bare metal stents after a 6-month implantation.
OBJECTIVE
The neointimal coverage and intracoronary thrombi within stented segments at 6 months after implantation between sirolimus-eluting stents (SESs) and bare metal stents (BMSs) were compared by direct visualization using angioscopy.


RESULTS
Forty-six patients (36 stable angina and 10 acute coronary syndrome) were treated with 33 SESs and 33 BMSs. Immediately after and 6 months after stenting, each of the stented segments, edge body, and overlapping segment were observed by angioscopy and the grade of neointimal coverage over the stents was classified as 0: absent neointima, 1: visible struts through thin neointima, or 2: invisible struts. The existence of thrombi was also evaluated. The average grade of the neointimal coverage at 6 months follow-up was lower in the SES than that in the BMS (edge: 1.4+/-0.7 vs. 1.9+/-0.2, body: 1.0+/-0.5 vs. 1.8+/-0.5, overlapping segment: 0.6+/-0.7 vs. 1.8+/-0.5; P<0.0001, P<0.0001, P=0.0069, respectively). The frequency of persistence of thrombus was significantly higher in the SESs than that in the BMSs (86 vs. 29%, respectively; P=0.031).


CONCLUSIONS
The present study suggested a delayed neointimal stent coverage and slower thrombus disappearance process in the SESs in comparison to the BMSs.
Takano
Masamichi
M
Department of Internal Medicine, Chiba-Hokusoh Hospital, Nippon Medical School 1715 Kamakari, Imba, Chiba 270-1694, Japan.
Ohba
Takayoshi
T
Inami
Shigenobu
S
Seimiya
Koji
K
Sakai
Shunta
S
Mizuno
Kyoichi
K
D000368:Aged; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000628:therapy; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003328:Coronary Thrombosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000473:pathology*; D004343:Drug Implants; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia / Q000473:pathology; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D012008:Recurrence; D020123:Sirolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015607:Stents; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000473:pathology*
D004343:Drug Implants; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D020123:Sirolimus