Predictors of restenosis after coronary angioplasty. A study on demographic and metabolic variables

Objective-The major concern about percutaneous transluminal coronary angiop lasty (PTCA) is the high incidence of restenosis. Methods-Demographic, clinical and biochemical data were recorded 2 weeks pr ior to PTCA in 388 patients fulfilling the criteria for initial stenosis, s uccessful PTCA, and angiographic follow-up after 6 months. Restenosis was e valuated by quantitative coronary angiography. Results-Variables predictive of restenosis in univariate analysis were diab etes mellitus, male gender, and the levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL ) cholesterol, apolipoprotein Al (Apo Al) and thio-barbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS). In trend analysis through quartiles TEARS and fasting glucose levels were significantly associated with restenosis (p = 0.016 and 0.044, respectively), whereas the negative predictivity of Apo Al and HDL- cholesterol were of borderline significance. In multivariate analysis male gender and diabetes mellitus showed predictivity of significance, and a neg ative predictivity was also apparent for HDL-cholesterol. Conclusion-We conclude that diabetes mellitus, male gender, and low HDL-cho lesterol are predictors of restenosis 6 months after PTCA. In addition, TEA RS may be a marker for the development of restenosis after PTCA.