Chlamydia pneumoniae and luminal narrowing after coronary angioplasty

Objectives. Numerous studies have linked Chlamydia pneumoniae with atherosc lerotic Vessel disease and a trend for an association of the bacteria with restenosis after percutaneous transluminae coronary angioplasty (PTCA) has also been observed. The aim of this study was to assess the role of Chlamyd ia pneumoniae in the luminal narrowing taking place after PTCA. Design. A noninterventional 6-month follow-up study. Setting, A university hospital, Subjects. A total of 122 patients with angiographically proven coronary hea rt disease (CHD) referred for PTCA. Interventions. None. Main outcome measures. The degree of luminal narrowing in the coronary arte ries following coronary angioplasty. Results. The levels of C. pneumoniae antibodies (IgG, IgA and IgM classes) and immune complexes were not associated with luminal narrowing after PTCA in multivariate analyses whilst smoking, plasma endothelin levels and diabe tes were. The serologic parameters did not change during the follow up eith er. Conclusions. These results do not support a role for C. pneumoniae in lumin al narrowing following PTCA.