Restenosis after percutaneous angioplasty: the role of vascular inflammation

Restenosis after endovascular treatment of atherosclerotic lesions in the peripheral, cerebrovascular, and coronary circulation is the major drawback of this minimally invasive technique. Although certain advances have been made during recent years to improve patency rates after percutaneous angioplasty, restenosis remains a challenging clinical problem. Understanding factors that contribute to the pathophysiology of late lumen loss is an effective strategy to improving patients' postangioplasty outcome. Vascular inflammation after balloon angioplasty or stent implantation has been identified as a cornerstone of the restenotic process, and several markers of inflammation have been referred to as potential predictors of outcome. This article reviews recent findings on the issue of inflammation and restenosis after percutaneous angioplasty with special attention given to the role of inflammatory parameters as markers for the restenosis risk in the peripheral vessel area.