Early detection of restenosis after successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty by exercise-redistribution thallium scintigraphy

The value of exercise testing and thallium scintigraphy in predicting recurrence of angina pectoris and restenosis after a primary successful transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) was prospectively evaluated. In 89 patients, a symptom-limited exercise electrocardiogram (ECG) and thallium scintigraphy were performed 4 weeks after they had undergone successful PTCA. Thereafter, the patients were followed for 6.4 ± 2.5 months (mean ± standard deviation) or until recurrence of angina. They all underwent a repeat coronary angiography at 6 months or earlier if symptoms recurred. PTCA was considered successful if the patients had no symptoms and if the stenosis was reduced to less than 50% of the luminal diameter. Restenosis was defined as an increase of the stenosis to more than 50% luminal diameter. The ability of the thallium scintigram (presence of a reversible defect) to predict recurrence of angina was 66%, vs 38% for the exercise ECG (ST-segment depression or angina at peak workload). Restenosis was predicted in 74% of patients by thallium scintigraphy, but only in 50% of patients by the exercise ECG. Thus, thallium scintigraphy was highly predictive but the exercise ECG was not (p < 0.005). These results suggest that restenosis had occurred to some extent already at 4 weeks after the PTCA in most patients in whom it was going to occur.     

Preprocedural serum levels of C-reactive protein predict early complications and late restenosis after coronary angioplasty.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to investigate whether early and late outcome after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) could be predicted by baseline levels of acute-phase reactants. BACKGROUND: Although some risk factors for acute complications and restenosis have been identified, an accurate preprocedural risk stratification of patients undergoing PTCA is still lacking. METHODS: Levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A protein (SAA) and fibrinogen were measured in 52 stable angina and 69 unstable angina patients undergoing single vessel PTCA. RESULTS: Tertiles of CRP levels (relative risk [RR] = 12.2, p < 0.001), systemic hypertension (RR = 4.3, p = 0.046) and female gender (RR = 4.1, p = 0.033) were the only independent predictors of early adverse events. Intraprocedural and in-hospital complications were observed in 22% of 69 patients with high serum levels (>0.3 mg/dl) of CRP and in none of 52 patients with normal CRP levels (p < 0.001). Tertiles of CRP levels (RR = 6.2, p = 0.001), SAA levels (RR = 6.0, p = 0.011), residual stenosis (RR = 3.2, p = 0.007) and acute gain (RR = 0.3, p = 0.01) were the only independent predictors of clinical restenosis. At one-year follow-up, clinical restenosis developed in 63% of patients with high CRP levels and in 27% of those with normal CRP levels (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Preprocedural CRP level, an easily measurable marker of acute phase response, is a powerful predictor of both early and late outcome in patients undergoing single vessel PTCA, suggesting that early complications and clinical restenosis are markedly influenced by the preprocedural degree of inflammatory cell activation.     

Evaluation of restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty using a Doppler index, the Tei index

Cardiac function and restenosis were evaluated after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) using a Doppler index (the Tei index). Thirty-eight patients, 31 men and 7 women (mean age 57 years) with ischemic heart disease were studied. The underlying heart diseases were angina pectoris without left ventricular asynergy in 16 patients and old myocardial infarction (OMI) with left ventricular asynergy in 22 . Ejection fraction was measured by M-mode echocardiography and deceleration time, and the interval between cessation and onset of the mitral inflow velocity (a), ejection time at aortic valve (b), and the Tei index [(a-b)/b] were measured by M-mode echocardiography performed before and 6 months after PTCA. The ejection fraction, deceleration time and Tei index showed no changes after PTCA in patients with angina pectoris with or without restenosis. In patients with OMI with restenosis, the Tei index increased slightly after PTCA, from 0.56 +/- 0.15 to 0.61 +/- 0.13. The deceleration time changed from 0.23 +/- 0.03 to 0.24 +/- 0.02 msec, and the ejection fraction from 0.46 +/- 0.11 to 0.51 +/- 0.17, neither significantly. However, in patients with OMI without restenosis (15 out of 22 patients), the Tei index significantly improved after PTCA, from 0.55 +/- 0.13 to 0.48 +/- 0.12 (p < 0.05). In patients with left ventricular asynergy due to old myocardial infarction, without restenosis, the Tei index significantly improved after PTCA. The Tei index is useful for evaluating restenosis after PTCA in patients with OMI.     

Higher recurrence rate after coronary angioplasty in unstable angina pectoris

PURPOSE: Recurrent stenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is a significant problem, requiring repeat dilation in about one-third of all treated patients. Various clinical and procedure-related predictors have been proposed. Between 1983 and 1987, 257 patients underwent 322 procedures, where 380 stenoses were attempted. Indications were: stable angina pectoris 73%, unstable angina pectoris 22%, other indication 5%. The primary success rate was defined as a less than 50% remaining postprocedure stenosis. FINDINGS: Repeat angiograms were done for 88% of the initially successful cases, either six months after PTCA or if there was a clinical recurrence. Restenosis was defined as a recurrence of a more than 50% diameter stenosis. The restenosis rate was 33% and was significantly higher (p less than 0.05) for unstable (46%) than for stable angina pectoris (29%). There was a nonsignificant tendency to a higher restenosis rate in the left anterior descending artery than in the other coronary vessels. IMPLICATIONS: The increased restenosis rate seen after PTCA for unstable angina pectoris could be caused by a higher activity in systems affecting the proliferative processes in the smooth muscle cells of the arterial wall, which is thought to form the pathophysiologic basis for restenosis after PTCA.     

Transluminal coronary angioplasty in the treatment of silent ischemia

Fifty-four asymptomatic patients with positive thallium exercise tests underwent coronary angiography followed by coronary angioplasty (PTCA), as the primary therapy for silent ischemia. The procedure was technically successful in 89% of these patients. Emergency bypass graft surgery was necessary in 2 (3.6%) and q-wave myocardial infarction occurred in 1 (1.8%) of these. All fifty-four patients have been followed for a mean of 35 months since angioplasty. Of the 48 patients with initially successful PTCA, 12 had either clinical restenosis (9/14 or 19%) or a new lesion (3/48 or 6%) during follow-up, which required a repeat PTCA. At the longest follow-up, 46 (85%) had been successfully treated with on or more PTCA procedures. Two patients (3.6%) had sustained late q-wave myocardial infarction and two additional patients reported angina pectoris. There were no deaths. Angioplasty as a primary therapy for silent ischemia appears efficacious, with success and restenosis rates comparable to those in the symptomatic population. Event-free survival is improved, compared with natural history data for patients with silent ischemia from other studies. Prudent risk/benefit analysis may help to define subgroups most likely to benefit from this intervention.     

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and coronary bypass grafting for refractory angina in chronic dialysis patients]

Between June 1983 and July 1989, 25 consecutive chronic dialysis patients with medically refractory angina pectoris underwent revascularization, either percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) (21 males and 4 females, mean age of 57 +/- 10 years, and mean duration of dialysis of 3.7 +/- 5.0 years). Patients with single-vessel disease and/or mildly calcified lesions received PTCA (n = 15), while those with multi-vessel disease and/or severely calcified lesions received CABG (n = 10). As controls for PTCA-treated dialysis patients, 208 non-dialysis patients who received initial PTCA in 1988 were used. The mean number of diseased vessels was 2.7 +/- 0.7 for CABG group, and 1.5 +/- 0.8 for PTCA group (p < 0.01). In both groups, 80% of patients were successfully revascularized. In CABG group, however, 7 of 10 patients had major complications including 2 hospital deaths, while no complications occurred in the PTCA group. During the follow-up period after CABG (35 +/- 30 months), recurrent angina developed in one patient, who was successfully treated with PTCA. In the PTCA group, angiographic success was initially obtained in 16 of 21 lesions (76%), which was significantly lower than that in the control group (92%, p < 0.05). Follow-up angiography revealed restenosis in 6 of 16 lesions with successful PTCA (38%), similar to that observed in the control group (32%, p = ns). A second PTCA was successful in 5 of 6 patients with restenosis, however, 4/5 patients developed recurrent angina. Three of 4 patients with a second episode of restenosis underwent a third PTCA, and angina recurred in 2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty for chronic dialysis patients

Accelerated forms of atherosclerosis continue to be responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality among patients on chronic hemodialysis, and coronary artery disease is responsible for approximately 20-30% of the deaths of such patients. The suitability of such patients for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), however, remains unknown. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of PTCA in a group of chronic dialysis patients. PTCA was performed on a total of 15 dialysis patients with medically refractory angina pectoris. Angiographic success was obtained in 16 of 21 (76%) stenoses attempted after the first PTCA. Restenosis was observed in 6 of 16 (38%) lesions, which was significantly related to longer dialysis history (p less than 0.01), and low maximal inflation pressure (p < 0.05). Five of the 6 patients with restenosis underwent a second PTCA, however, all 4 patients with successful second PTCA developed recurrence of angina. Three of 4 patients with a second episode of restenosis underwent a third PTCA, and angina recurred in 2. Thus, PTCA is a reasonable initial strategy for patients with chronic hemodialysis, especially when dialysis history is short. For restenotic lesions and when there is a long dialysis history, restenosis rates are high and coronary bypass surgery should be considered.     

不稳定性心绞痛病人的介入治疗及随访

目的　观察 18例不稳定性心绞痛病人的经皮冠状动脉内成形术 (PTCA)后的即刻疗效及随访结果。方法　 18例不稳定心绞痛病人中 15例内科药物治疗平稳后二周行冠脉造影及PTCA ,3例因内科药物治疗效果不佳而行紧急的PTCA。成功 17例 ;病变共 33处 ,2 3处被治疗 ,置入支架 18支。结果　术后所有病人心绞痛症状缓解。术后随访平均 9个月 ,病人心功能 ,运动耐量 ,心律失常等均有明显改善。 14例病人心绞痛症状基本消失。 3例病人有心绞痛发作 ,但药物可以控制。 1例病人前降支完全闭塞导丝未能通过病变处而失败。 17例中无一例发生心肌梗塞或猝死。结论　不稳定心绞痛病人尽早进行冠脉造影及PTCA治疗是有必要的 ,成功率是高的     

Aggressive pattern of angina after successful coronary angioplasty: the role of clinical and angiographic factors

To assess possible clinical and angiographic factors associatedwith acute coronary events following PTCA, we performed quantitativeangiography in 168 consecutive patients who had undergone successfulangioplasty in a native vessel (94 for stable angina, 74 forunstable angina), and who were restudied (24±15 weeks;range 4 to 52) because of recurrent anginal symptoms. Of the168 patients, 38 (Group 1) were restudied because the patternof angina was aggressive (unstable angina in 31, myocardialinfarction in 7) and 130 because of effort-related angina (Group2). The two patient groups were well matched for extent of initialdisease but patients in Group 1 were younger (P=0•03).PTCA for unstable angina was originally performed more frequentlyin Group 1 than in Group 2 (27 of 38 patients (71%) vs 47 of130 patients (36%), P=0•0001). The overall restenosis rate(68% vs 62%) and the non-occlusive restenosis rate (45% vs 57%)were not significantly different between Groups 1 and 2. However,occlusive restenosis (total occlusion at the site of the angioplasty)occurred in 10 patients (26%) in Group 1 compared with eight(6%) in Group 2(P=0•0004). Disease progression in non-dilatedsegments occurred in nine patients (24%) in Group 1 and in 10(8%) in Group 2 (P=0•0006). Our conclusion is that patients who require re-investigationas a result of angina which has become aggressive followingPTCA are usually those who originally underwent PTCA for unstableangina. These patients have a higher incidence of occlusiverestenosis or disease progression.     

Micro stent I,initial results,and six months follow-up by quantitative coronary angiography

The Micro stent^TM (MS) is a balloon expandable stent that allows the treatment of stenoses in distal and tortuous coronary arteries. This prospective study was performed to evaluate initial and late results of MS implantations. A total of 127 MS (101 in native coronary arteries and 26 in saphenous vein grafts) were implanted in 85 patients (1.5 stents/pt, 65 male, and 20 female, age 62, ±10 yr) with angina pectoris class II-III: 21 (25%), angina pectoris class IV: 41(48%), and acute myocardial infarction: 23 (27%). Indications per segment treated (n=93): elective: 49 (53%); suboptimal balloon angioplasty (PTCA) result: 33(35%); bailout: 11 (12%). The patients were discharged with 100 mg of aspirin daily unless other indications for oral anticoagulants were present. Procedural success (diameter stenosis of 30% without the occurrence of clinical events within 3 wk) was 85%. Early clinical events (<3 wk included: death:1%; subacute closure: 5%; coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG): 1%; vascular complications: 4%. Late clinical events (3 wk-6 mo) included: acute myocardial infarction:3%, PTCA 5%, CABG 3%, angina class III-IV: 4%. Quantitative angiographic results were: the minimum lumen diameter increased from 0.90 ± 0.72 before to 3.05 ± 0.48 mm (<P0.001) after stent implantation. At follow-up, which was 5.5 mo ± 1.1 mo, 61/79 pts (77%), the loss in diameter was 0.90 ± 0.68 mm. The net gain was 1.26 ± 0.90 mm. The restenosis rate (diameter stenosis > 50% at FU) was 13%. This study demonstrates high procedural and late success rates of Micro stent implantations. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Diagn. 43:19-27, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Holmium laser-assisted coronary angioplasty in acute ischemic syndromes

Background and hypothesis: Initial studies have shown holmium laser to be effective in ablation of coronary atheromam, and small studies suggest that it may be helpful in ablation of thrombotic stenoses. Therefore, holmium laser-assisted coronary angioplasty was studied in 85 consecutive patients with acute ischemia syndromes. Methods: Indications for therapy were acute myocardial infarction (MI) in 7 patients (8%), post-MI ischemic in 32 patients (38%), and crescendo angina pectoris in 46 patients (54%). Coronary morphology characteristics by multivessel angioplasty prognosis group criteria were Type A in 9 (10%), Type B1 in 15 (18%), Type B2 in 44 (52%), Type C in 17 patients (20%). Results: Angiographic evidence of thrombus was seen in 37 (44%) of patients. The laser successfully crossed the total length of the coronary narrowing in 76 patients (89%). Procedure/clinical success was 92% for the total study population, 100% for patients with acute MI, 94% for post-MI ischemia patients, and 89% for patients with crescendo angina. Lesions with and without thrombus had identical procedure succes rates. Major complication rate was 3.5%, (deaths 0%, Q-wave MI 0%, and emergent bypass surgery 3.5%). Six-month angiographic restenosis rate (>50% stenosis) was 45%. Conclusion: Holmium laser-assisted balloon angioplasty appears promising in the treatment of acute ischemic syndromes and thrombotic coronary lesions.     

Interleukin 6 expression in coronary circulation after coronary angioplasty as a risk factor for restenosis

OBJECTIVE—To investigate changes in cytokine expression in the coronary circulation induced by percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA).
METHODS—The study involved 32 patients with ischaemic heart disease who underwent elective PTCA for isolated stenotic lesions of the left coronary artery. Ten patients had plain old balloon angioplasty, 10 had percutaneous transluminal rotational atherectomy, and 12 had stent implantation. Blood samples were drawn from the coronary sinus before and immediately after PTCA. Plasma concentrations of interleukin 6 (IL-6), platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), and macrophage coronary stimulating factor (M-CSF) were measured. The patients were scheduled for follow up angiography six months after PTCA. Late loss index was calculated using quantitative coronary angiography.
RESULTS—IL-6 concentrations in coronary sinus blood increased immediately after PTCA (p < 0.001), but there was no change in PDGF, MCP-1, or M-CSF. There was a positive correlation between changes in IL-6 concentrations immediately after PTCA and late loss index six months after PTCA (r = 0.73, p < 0.001). IL-6 concentrations in coronary sinus blood were higher in patients with late restenosis than in those without restenosis (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS—PTCA induces IL-6 production in the coronary circulation. This may induce subsequent inflammatory responses in injured vessels and play an important role in late restenosis after PTCA.


Keywords: inflammation; cytokine; restenosis     

Prognosis of culprit lesion PTCA in acute myocardial infarction for multi versus single vessel disease

We studied 417 patients undergoing single vessel culprit lesion percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) for acute myocardial infarction to determine the impact of disease in other vessels. Group A (189 patients, 45%) had coronary artery disease (>70% stenosis) in at least 1 additional vessel while Group B (228 patients, 55%) did not. The groups were similar in sex distribution (A = 75% male, B = 76%), number of lesions in the single culprit vessel dilated (1 lesion in 83% A, 80% B), and PTCA success (A = 92%, B = 94%) (all p = NS). Group A patients were older (63 ± 10 vs. 56 ± 11 years) and had more prior myocardial infarctions (27% vs. 7%), and more prior coronary artery bypass grafting (15% vs. 0.4%) (all p < .01). Group A patients were more likely to have repeat catheterization (48% vs. 32%, p < .005) although restenosis of the infarct-related vessel was similar (A = 24%, B = 16%) (p = NS). Group A was more likely to need angioplasty in a 2nd vessel (23% vs. 8%) and to need coronary artery bypass grafting (20% vs. 8%) (both p < .001). Cumulative mortality was higher in Group A at 1 month (10% vs. 5%), 1 year (11% vs. 6%), and long-term (13% vs. 7%). This difference appeared to be due to the impact of lower mean ejection fraction in Group A. Conclusion: Treatment of acute myocardial infarction by direct PTCA of the culprit lesion can be performed with a high likelihood of success in patients with or without multivessel coronary artery disease. Patients with multivessel disease are identified as a high risk group for whom subsequent interventional therapy may be required after the acute event. Mortality, however, is affected more by left ventricular function than by the presence of multivessel disease.     

Effect of short-term administration of high dose L-arginine on restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

BACKGROUND: A single and local administration of L-arginine after balloon angioplasty enhances nitric oxide (NO) generation and inhibits lesion formation in animals. OBJECTIVES: The present study assessed the effect of increasing NO to inhibit restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in humans by local and systemic administration of L-arginine, a precursor of NO in humans. METHODS: L-arginine was administered to 34 consecutive patients with angina pectoris or old myocardial infarction via a cardiac catheter (500 mg/4 min) before PTCA, and via a peripheral vein (30 g/4 hr, for 5 days) after PTCA. Patients were treated between December 1998 and December 2000. Plasma concentrations of L-arginine, NO (as nitrite + nitrate) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) were measured before and after L-arginine administration. The control group consisted of 90 patients who underwent PTCA successfully without L-arginine administration in the period between July 1996 and November 1998. Baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics were compared between the two groups. All patients were followed by coronary angiography for 3 months after PTCA. Quantitative coronary angiography and restenosis rate were studied. RESULTS: Baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics were not different between the two study groups. Despite a significant elevation in plasma L-arginine concentration after L-arginine administration, NO and cGMP did not increase significantly. After PTCA, the difference in restenosis rates between L-arginine and control subjects (34% vs 44%) was not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term administration of high dose L-arginine did not significantly change the restenosis rate after PTCA.     

Preprocedural inflammatory markers do not predict restenosis after successful coronary stenting

Background

Levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A protein (SAA), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) can predict coronary restenosis following angioplasty and stent deployment in patients with unstable angina. We investigated whether measurement of periprocedural inflammatory markers predicted the angiographic outcome at 6 months in stable angina patients undergoing coronary stenting.

Methods

We prospectively studied 182 patients; 152 patients underwent elective and successful stenting procedure for de novo lesions in native and nongrafted coronary arteries and 30 individuals in the control group underwent diagnostic angiography alone. CRP, SAA, and IL-6 were determined by high-sensitivity immunoassays.

Results

At 6 months, quantitative computer-assisted angiographic analysis in 133 patients with stents showed a binary restenosis rate of 33.8%. Statins were being taken by 80% of the patients. There were no significant differences between the pre- or postprocedure values of CRP, SAA, or IL-6 in patients with or without in-stent restenosis.

Conclusions

Preprocedural inflammatory markers in stable angina subjects undergoing coronary artery stent deployment did not correlate with the development of in-stent restenosis. Differences in pathobiology between stable and unstable coronary syndromes, the widespread use of statins with anti-inflammatory activity in our cohort of patients, along with different mechanisms underlying the early angiographic appearances of restenosis as compared to clinical end points, most likely explain our findings.     

Value of lesion morphology and of residual stenosis in predicting late clinical outcomes and restenosis rate post-PTCA in single-vessel disease

The study assessed an impact of stenosis morphology before coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and of residual diameter stenosis after the procedure on major adverse cardiac events and restenosis rate at 1 year after intervention in single-vessel disease. Visual analysis of stenoses, using the ABC lesion score system and on-line quantitative evaluation (ACA, DCI, Philips), was performed in 70 patients undergoing PTCA. Recurrence of angina at rest and/or positive treadmill exercise test (TET) 6 weeks after PTCA and/or major cardiac events were considered as evidence of restenosis. At 1 year follow-up 56 patients (80%) were event free, without angina at rest and without positive TET, with residual diameter (RD) after PTCA a mean of 2.00±0.48 mm. In the restenosis group (n=14) RD was a mean of 1.58±0.43 mm (p<0.01): there were three patients with angina at rest, five with Positive TET, and six with cardiac events. In this group, one-half of the stenoses was in class C of the lesion. Residual diameter stenosis, measured objectively after balloon angioplasty, and evaluation of lesion morphology before PTCA can predict late clinical outcomes after the procedure in single-vessel disease.Presented in part at the 39th Annual World Congress, International College of Angiology, Istanbul, Turkey, July 1997     

Prognostic value of computer-quantitated exercise thallium imaging early after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

To develop an approach to predicting adverse events after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), 50 patients had thallium-201 exercise testing within 1 month after successful single vessel coronary angioplasty and were followed up for a mean of 18 months. Adverse events were: 1) clinical events consisting of recurrent angina (17 patients) and myocardial infarction (1 patient); 2) treatment events consisting of repeat coronary angioplasty (10 patients) and coronary bypass surgery (1 patient); and 3) restenosis, defined as a greater than 30% increase in luminal stenosis (15 of 38 recatheterized patients). There were no deaths. Of the clinical, exercise, angiographic and thallium scan variables analyzed by stepwise logistic regression, postangioplasty gradient greater than 20 mm Hg predicted clinical events and treatment events, and the number of segments with slower thallium clearance predicted clinical events, treatment events and restenosis. Using Cox Hazards model regression of survival without events, the number of transient qualitative thallium defects also predicted clinical events and restenosis. At 1 year after angioplasty, 24% of patients with these variables had restenosis compared with only 6% of those without these variables and 36% of patients with these variables had a clinical or treatment event compared with 8% of patients without these variables. Three measures of the adequacy of myocardial perfusion (post-angioplasty gradient, reduced thallium clearance and transient thallium defects) were additive predictors of adverse events after coronary angioplasty with the relative risk being approximately four times greater in patients with these variables than in those without. Such adverse events, therefore, are usually a consequence of inadequate revascularization.     

Increased endogenous endothelin-1 in coronary circulation is associated with restenosis after coronary angioplasty

BACKGROUND: The relationship between vasoactive substances, including endothelin-1, nitric oxide, serotonin, angiotensin II and noradrenaline, and coronary restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is not clear. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether any vasoactive substance may be a marker of coronary restenosis after PTCA. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with angina pectoris underwent elective PTCA. Three months after PTCA, coronary angiography was performed again to study the patency of the lesions. Seven patients had coronary restenosis (greater than 50% stenosis) (restenosis group) and the rest of the patients were without restenosis (patency group). Their blood samples were obtained from the coronary sinus before, immediately after and three months after PTCA. RESULTS: Endothelin-1 levels obtained immediately after PTCA (3.44+/-0.26 pg/mL) and three months after PTCA (3.57+/-0.29 pg/mL) were significantly higher than those obtained before PTCA (3.00+/-0.26 pg/mL) in the restenosis group, but not in the patency group (3.34+/-0.15 pg/mL, 3.02+/-0.17 pg/mL and 3.14+/-0.18 pg/mL, respectively). A transient decrease in nitrite/nitrate levels was observed immediately after PTCA in both groups. The serotonin levels three months after PTCA were significantly decreased in the patency group, but not in the restenosis group, and the levels of angiotensin II and noradrenaline did not change in either group throughout the study. CONCLUSIONS: Among several vasoactive substances, endothelin-1 seems to be associated with the process of coronary restenosis after PTCA. Increased endothelin-1 levels in the coronary circulation after PTCA may indicate an increased risk of coronary restenosis.     

The effects of coronary angioplasty on the global and regional left ventricular function in patients with angina pectoris after anterior myocardial infarction

Thirty-one patients (29 men and 2 women, mean age 49±10 years) were evaluated to investigate the effects of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) on left ventricular function (LV) in patients with angina pectoris after anterior wall myocardial infarction. LV functions and LV regional wall motion scores were obtained by means of a semiquantitative method using left ventriculography. Coronary angiographies and left ventriculographies were done just before and 182±160 days after the angioplasty of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery lesion. It had been found that LV ejection fraction had increased and anterolateral, apical, and septal wall motion scores had decreased significantly after PTCA in accordance with the patients' clinical status. The improvement was more prominent in patients with poor LV function. However, LV functions did not show any significant improvement in patients who develop restenosis after PTCA.     

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in patients undergoing chronic dialysis

Very limited data on percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in patients with chronic renal failure is available. We describe the short- and long-term results of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in a group of seven patients undergoing chronic dialysis. Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty was undertaken because of poorly controlled symptoms in five patients and reversible defects on thallium scintigraphy prior to major surgery in two patients. There were five men and two women, the mean age was 51 years (range 36-75). Six patients were on hemodialysis and one was receiving peritoneal dialysis. All seven patients had complicated baseline coronary stenosis morphology ( greater than or equal to AHA/ACC Class B-1). Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty was successful in four patients (57%) and associated with complications in two patients (29%) including one death. Surviving patients were followed for a mean of 6 months (range 3-23 months). Of three surviving patients with initially successful PTCA, two developed restenosis. All three patients with unsuccessful PTCA underwent bypass surgery with one late death. Patients with chronic renal failure compose a high risk population for PTCA with a reduced success rate, an increased complication rate, and a high restenosis rate.