THE REPARATIVE PHENOMENA AT THE SITE OF BALLOON ANGIOPLASTY IN HUMANSAND EXPERIMENTAL-MODELS

We have previously described the healing phenomena after PTCA in human s and developed a swine model of balloon angioplasty that closely mimi cs the vascular responses seen in humans. Our data from clinical, auto psy, and animal studies strongly indicate that thrombus formation at t he site of balloon angioplasty is a rare event in both humans and expe rimental animals. Restenosis is a reactive proliferative response to t he arterial wall injury characterized predominantly, but not exclusive ly. by smooth muscle cell proliferation and excessive synthesis of con nective tissue matrix. Luminal phenomena such as adhesion and activati on of platelets and leukocytes contribute to the proliferative process es.