SummaryThe timing and incidence of neointimal calcifi cation after stenting (NIC) is largely unknown. The purpose of our study was to elucidate the characteristics of NIC. The presence of NIC in patients who underwent intravascular ultrasound between June 30, 2009 and June 30, 2012 was analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups based on the follow-up period: < 365 days or ≥ 365 days. A total of 181 images were analyzed. Those with NIC had a lower estimated glomerular fi ltration rate [51 (6-60) versus 61 (52-72) mL/minute/1.73 m 2 ; P < 0.01] and longer time after stenting [3198 (1710-3684) versus 211 (180-516) days; P < 0.01] compared to those without NIC. NIC during short-term follow-up was observed only in patients who were on hemodialysis. On the other hand, NIC in the long-term follow-up was observed only in patients with bare metal stents. The development of NIC was related to renal function and time after stenting. NIC in the short-term and the long-term follow-up was observed only in patients who were on hemodialysis and who were implanted with a bare metal stent, respectively. ( These studies showed homogeneous neointima in the early phase (< 6 months) that transformed into atherosclerotic tissue in the late phase (> 5 years). Typical neoatherosclerotic characteristics include calcifi cation (10%), cholesterol crystals (14%), lipid-laden intima (67%), disruption (38%), and thrombus (52%).Calcifi cation in the native coronary arteries is regarded as a surrogate for total plaque burden and may predict future coronary events.3,4) The strong relationship between calcifi cation of plaque and renal function is also well known.5-7) However, the characteristics of neointimal calcification after stenting (NIC) are largely unknown. Identifying patients who are prone to develop NIC may help us to understand the pathophysiology of NIC and to develop a strategy for the prevention and treatment of this particular type of in-stent restenosis (ISR).The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of NIC using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS).
MethodsPatients: Patients with ISR who underwent IVUS for percutaneous coronary intervention between June 30, 2009 and June 30, 2012 were evaluated retrospectively. Inclusion criteria were: (1) patients with ISR with a known stent type (BMS or drug-eluting stent (DES)) and duration after stenting, and (2) acceptable IVUS image quality for analysis. Exclusion criteria included: (1) ISR at the stent edge to exclude possible misinterpretation of calcifi cation of the coronary artery adjacent to the implanted stent as NIC due to an oblique cross-sectional slice; (2) restenosis of previously treated ISR without a new stent implantation; (3) stent fracture which was confi rmed by coronary angiography; and (4) recoil or underexpansion of the initial stent.A total of 181 IVUS pullbacks from 164 patients were analyzed (133 men, 31 women). Target lesion locations were: left main trunk in 3 (2%), left anterior descending artery in 78 (43%), left circumfl ex artery in 42 (2...