ESTENOSIS IS A DRAWBACK OF catheter-based and surgical interventions in different vascular territories. In coronary and peripheral artery disease, diabetes has been associated with increased development of restenosis. 1-4 In addition, following carotid artery interventions, smoking, age, and female sex have been reported as independent predictors of luminal renarrowing. 5-8 Furthermore, angiographic lesion characteristics, such as lesion length and decreased vessel diameter, are associated with increased risk of restenosis. 9,10 In contrast with established risk factors and angiographic parameters, the relationship between local composition of the vessel wall and development of restenosis has not been explored. Among many other factors, restenosis largely depends on local smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration, protease activity, and matrix deposition occurring at the lesion site after the intervention has been per