Clinical applications of brachytherapy for the prevention of restenosis

Restenosis remains the bane of percutaneous coronary intervention. Local de livery of radiation, brachytherapy, is a promising therapy for the preventi on of restenosis. Animal studies have suggested that brachytherapy may be a n effective treatment for preventing restenosis. The type of radiation as w ell as the doses and delivery systems are currently under study; several cl inical trials are underway. This paper reviews the biological basis, includ ing animal studies, of intracoronary brachytherapy as well as the current d ata from clinical trials.