Circulating Monocytes and In-Stent Neointima After Coronary Stent Implantation

Abstract

The authors investigated the relationship between circulating white blood cells, especially monocytes, and restenosis after stent implantation. Coronary stents were placed in 107 patients. The white blood cell fraction count was analyzed from peripheral blood obtained from patients immediately before the procedures and repeated after the procedure for 7 days. Patients received angiographic and volumetric intravascular ultrasound analysis at 6-month follow-up. The counts of circulating monocytes increased and peaked 2 days after stent implantation. A multiregression analysis showed a significant positive correlation with in-stent neointimal volume with stent volume immediately after implantation and maximum monocyte count. Twenty-two patients with angiographic restenosis showed a significantly larger maximum monocyte count than the patients without restenosis. The authors concluded that circulating monocytes contribute to the process of in-stent neointimal hyperplasia.