Update on Pharmacology for Restenosis

Curr Interv Cardiol Rep. 2001 May;3(2):149-155.

Abstract

Coronary restenosis remains a major limitation of percutaneous coronary intervention and has become epidemic in the developed countries. Because almost 80% of the contemporary interventional procedures are performed with the use of coronary stents, strategies aimed at eradicating neointimal hyperplasia are the current research focus. Antiproliferative agents, such as rapamycin, tranilast, and trapidil, are undergoing phase III clinical trials to determine the efficacy of these drugs in preventing restenosis. Stent-based pharmacologic therapy to enhance local delivery of the drug has emerged as a promising anti-restenosis strategy. This article provides an update on the development of the pharmacologic therapy for coronary restenosis.