Percutaneous coronary intervention-induced variations in systemic parameters of inflammation: relationship with the mode of stenting.

BACKGROUND: During percutaneous coronary intervention, the technique of stent implantation (both direct and complementary stenting) is guided using both clinical and angiographic features. We assessed potential relationships between procedural parameters and angioplasty-induced variations in inflammatory parameters in patients treated by these two different techniques. METHODS: A total of 85 consecutive patients due to undergo stent implantation were prospectively enrolled. Inflammation was assessed in terms of C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and leukocyte count in samples taken before and 24 h after angioplasty. Patients were classified based on whether they underwent complementary (n=47) or direct stenting (n=38). RESULTS: Inflammation after complementary stenting was related to the duration of inflation (r=0.59; p<0.001), whereas inflammation after direct stenting was related to the inflation pressure (r=0.61; p=0.007), as assessed by C-reactive protein variation. None of the other parameters influenced the inflammatory response. CONCLUSIONS: The inflammatory response after stent implantation depends on the mode of stenting. We therefore hypothesize that the inflammatory response after stenting might be related to the histological composition of the atherosclerotic plaques involved.