Restenosis and Remodeling

관동맥성형술 후의 혈관 재협착 및 재형성

  • Chae, Jei-Keon (Department of Internal Medicine and Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Chonbuk National Universit Hospital, Chonbuk National University College of Medicine)
  • 채제건 (전북대학교 의과대학 내과학교실)
  • Published : 1999.05.21

Abstract

Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) remains limited by restenosis that occurs in 30 to 50% of patients with coronary artery disease. During the last decade, numerous agents have been used to prevent restenosis. Despite positive results in animal models, no pharmacological therapy has been found to significantly decrease the risk of restenosis in humans. These discrepancies between animal models and clinical situation were probably related to an incomplete understanding of the mechanism of restenosis. Neointimal thickening occurs in response to experimental arterial injury with a balloon catheter. Neointimal formation involves different steps: smooth muscle cell activation, proliferation and migration, and the production of extracellular matrix. The factors that control neointimal hyperplasia include growth factors, humoral factors and mechanical factors. Arterial remodeling also plays a major role in the restenosis process. Studies performed in animal and human subjects have established the potentials for "constrictive remodeling" to reduce the post-angioplasty vessel area, thereby indirectly narrowing the vessel lumen and thus contributing to restenosis. The reduction of restenosis rate in patients with intracoronary stent implantation has been attributed to the preventive effect of stent itself for this negative remodeling. In addition to these mochanisms for restenosis, intraluminal or intra-plaque thrombus formation, reendothelialization and apoptosis theories have been introduced and confirmed at least in part.

재협착에 관여하는 인자는 매우 다양하다. 평활근 세포의 증식, ECM의 형성, 혈관벽의 초기 혈전형성, 그리고 혈관 재형성 등이 모든 것들이 재협착의 병인에 기여하고 있다. 환자마다 이런 요소들의 기여정도가 다르며 동일 환자에서도 병변에 따른 기여정도가 또한 다르리라 여긴다. 그러나 아직까지 우리는 외막섬유모세포의 역할, 내피세포의 재생, 증식세포의 계획된 죽음 등 재협착의 기전을 불완전하게 이해하고 있고 따라서 보다 완전한 이해를 통해 효과적인 재협착 예방치료가 시행될 수 있을 것이다.

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