BACKGROUND Drug-eluting stents effectively reduce restenosis but may increase late thrombosis and delayed restenosis. Persistent polymer, the drug, or a combination of both could be responsible. Local delivery of Biolimus A9, a rapamycin derivative, from a polymer-free BioFreedom stent (Biosensors International) may prevent these complications. METHODS AND RESULTS We compared high-dose (HD) (...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Growth factors (GFs) may favor the healing of aneurysms treated with endovascular techniques by stimulating neointima formation. METHODS Bilateral carotid aneurysms were constructed with venous pouches in 50 pigs and embolized intraoperatively with collagen sponges with and without GFs (platelet-derived growth factor-BB [PDGF-BB] 0.15 or 1.5 microg or transforming growt...

Image-based computational models for quantifying hemodynamic indices in stented coronary arteries often employ biplane angiography and intravascular ultrasound for 3D reconstruction. Recent advances in guidewire simulation algorithms and the rise of optical coherence tomography (OCT) suggest more precise coronary artery reconstruction may be possible. We developed a patientspecific method that ...

The in vivo antiatherogenic activity of two calcium antagonists of the dihydropyridine class (isradipine and lacidipine) was investigated in a new experimental model. The proliferative lesion induced in the rabbit carotid artery was obtained by positioning a hollow silastic collar around the vessel. The neointimal formation was determined by measuring cross sectional thickness of intimal (I) an...

To the Editor: Intimal hyperplasia surrounding the suture line remains the leading cause of graft failure after coronary artery bypass graft surgery and peripheral vascular bypass surgery. Immunosuppressive drugs, such as tacrolimus, have been shown to inhibit the development of intimal hyperplasia (1,2). We have developed a novel drug-eluting suture coated with tacrolimus (DE-suture). The purp...

Abstract Background Limited data is available regarding the vascular response after fluoropolymer paclitaxel-eluting stent (FP-PES) implantation. We sought to assess at 6- and 12-month FP-PES implantation for femoropopliteal artery lesions using serial optical coherence tomography (OCT) examination. Methods results From IMPERIAL trial, this study evaluated 10 de novo treated with FP-PES. The pr...

BACKGROUND Several studies have reported re-endothelialization and endothelial function after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation; however, the relationship between re-endothelialization and endothelial function after DES implantation has not been investigated yet. METHODS A total of 14 patients underwent evaluation of re-endothelialization by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and endothel...

Intimal hyperplasia appears to differ after implanting a drug-eluting stent (DES) with a biodegradable or a permanent polymer. The aim of the present study was to compare biodegradable with permanent polymer DES, since the available data are limited. One hundred patients with de novo coronary artery stenosis were included in this study. The patients were classified into 2 groups: DES with a bio...

BACKGROUND In a previous in vitro study, we confirmed that small-caliber nanofibrous polyurethane (PU) vascular grafts have favorable mechanical properties and biocompatibility. In the present study, we examined the in vivo biocompatibility and stability of these grafts. METHODS Forty-eight adult male beagle dogs were randomly divided into two groups receiving, respectively, polyurethane (PU)...

Angiotensin-(1-7) is an endogenous, biologically active peptide of the renin-angiotensin system with vasodilatory, antithrombotic, and antiproliferative properties. This study examined the effects of angiotensin-(1-7) infusion on neointimal formation after stent placement in the rat. Male Wistar rats underwent stent implantation in the abdominal aorta or sham surgery. Subsequently, an osmotic m...