T lymphocyte activation and restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

We investigated the relation between the activation of T lymphocytes and th e occurrence of restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angiopl asty (PTCA) in 10 stable angina patients. Recent studies have suggested tha t PTCA causes an inflammatory response, which may affect restenosis after a ngioplasty. Soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) is a useful marker to e valuate the activation of T lymphocytes. sIL-2R was measured before and 2 h after successful PTCA, and 3-month follow-up coronary angiography was done to observe restenosis. Four of 10 patients showed restenosis. The restenos is group of 4 patients had a higher level of sIL-2R after PTCA than the no- restenosis group of 6 patients (495 vs. 274 U/ml, p < 0.01). This study sug gests that sIL-2R may offer prognostic information after elective PTCA and identify a subgroup of patients at high risk for clinical restenosis in a f ew months.