The Effects of Therapeutic Duration of Combined Antiplatelets, Aspirin and Ticlopidine, on Coronary Stent Restenosis

Jeong, Myung Ho; Kim, Nam Ho; Ahn, Young Keun; Cha, Kwang Soo; Park, Jong Cheol; Cho, Jeong Gwan; Park, Jong Chun; Kang, Jung Chaee

Abstract

One of most important mechanisms of coronary stent restenosis is neointimal hyperplasia. Although the process of neointima formation is not fully understood, a special role has been advocated for adherent platelets. The previous studies have shown a clear benefit with combined antiplatelet therapy such as aspirin plus ticlopidine in reducing the rate of thrombotic occlusions of stented vessels. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of duration of antiplatelet regimens on coronary stent restenosis. After successful placement of coronary artery stents in 222 patients, we performed follow-up coronary angiograms in 99 patients (42.3%). Forty six patients were randomly assigned to receive aspirin and ticlopidine for 4 weeks (Group I: 54+/-9 years: M 38, F 8) and 48 patients for 6 months (Group II: 58 +/-8 years: M 38, F 10). There were no significant differences in clinical and procedural variables or coronary lesion characteristics before and after stenting. At 6 months after stenting, minimal luminal diameter was 2.16+/-0.93 mm in Group I and 2.04+/-1.07 mm in Group II (p=0.57). Late lumen loss was 0.80+/-1.07 mm in Group I and 0.92+/-1.11 mm (p=0.58) in Group II. The stent restenosis rate of Group I was 28.3% and that of Group II was 29.2%, which was not different between two groups (p=0.92). The therapeutic duration of combined antiplatelet regimen, aspirin and ticlopidine, after coronary stent does not affect on stent restenosis rate.