Polymorphonuclear blood leukocytes and restenosis after intracoronary implantation of drug-eluting stentsThis article is one of a selection of papers from the NATO Advanced Research Workshop on Translational Knowledge for Heart Health (published in part 1 of a 2-part Special Issue).

Abstract

Peripheral blood contents of osteonectin-positive progenitor cells and polymorphonuclear granulocytes were examined by flow cytometry in 38 patients after myocardial revascularisation with drug-eluting stents. Repeat coronary angiography performed 6–12 months after stent implantation revealed in-stent restenosis in 15 patients and its absence in 23 patients. The plasma levels of osteonectin-positive progenitor cells, neutrophils, and basophils did not differ in patients with and without restenosis. Eosinophil blood levels in patients with and without restenosis were 262 ± 68 and 124 ± 67 cells/µL (mean ± SD, p < 0.001), respectively. Only one of 19 patients (5%) with eosinophil content lower than the distribution median for the entire group developed restenosis, whereas in the group with eosinophil contents higher than the median (n = 19) restenosis occurred in 14 patients (74%, p < 0.001). Our findings suggest that the frequency of restenoses after stenting is related to high peripheral blood eosinophil content.