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(Stroke. 2006;37:492.)
© 2006 American Heart Association, Inc.

Original Contributions

Prevention of Carotid Artery Restenosis After Sirolimus-Coated Stent Implantation in Pigs

Gunnar Tepe, MD; Peter Muschick, PhD; Michael Laule, MD; Frank Reddig, MD; Claus D. Claussen, MD; Ludger M. Dinkelborg, PhD; Hans Tielemans; Manfred Wehrmann, MD Stephan H. Duda, MD

From the Departments of Diagnostic Radiology (G.T., F.R., C.D.C., S.H.D.) and Pathology (M.W.), University of Tuebingen, Germany; the Schering Company (P.M., L.M.D.), Berlin, Germany; the Department of Internal Medicine (M.L.), Charité, Berlin, Germany; and Cordis (H.T.), a Johnson & Johnson Company, Warren, NJ, and Waterloo, Belgium.

Correspondence to Gunnar Tepe, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Tuebingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 3, D-72076 Tuebingen, Germany. E-mail gunnar.tepe{at}med.uni-tuebingen.de

Background and Purpose— To test the feasibility of self-expanding drug-coated nitinol stents for prevention of restenosis in an animal model. Stent implantation in the carotid artery (CA) has been shown to be feasible for treatment of CA stenosis. Even though the restenosis rate in CA is reported to be lower than in the coronary and peripheral arteries, problems may arise with increasing numbers of treated patients and lengthier follow-up.

Methods— After predilatation with 8-mm balloons, 8 Goettinger minipigs were randomly selected to receive a sirolimus-eluting self-expanding nitinol stent (7 mm/80 mm) as well as the same stent without sirolimus/polymer coating in the right or left CA. Aspirin was given starting 3 days before the intervention and administered for an additional 4 weeks. Clopidogrel was administered for 10 days.

Results— After 6 weeks, 2 subacute occlusions were observed in both groups. In the remaining vessels, the neointima was significantly reduced by sirolimus/polymer-coated stents (5.9±2.5 versus 0.7±1.0 mm²).

Conclusions— Sirolimus self-expanding nitinol stents may be an effective tool in reducing neointimal formation in CA.

Key Words: atherosclerosis • carotid arteries • stents