Abstract

Stent thrombosis remains an important problem after the implantation of different stent types. A potential solution to this problem may be vasoactive agents with dual effects on different cell types like C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP). Therefore, in vitro and in vivo effects of CNP were investigated in a porcine restenotic model. Gene transfer of CNP in cultures of porcine vascular cells revealed up to 30% reduction of growth of smooth muscle cells (p<.05 but="" no="" suppression="" of="" endothelial="" growth="" using="" cnp.="" applied="" in="" vivo="" angiography="" revealed="" a="" trend="" reduced="" restenosis="" formation="" balloon-injured="" porcine="" arteries="" treated="" with="" cnp="" gene="" or="" beta-galactosidase="" control="" after="" three="" months="" reduction="" p="n.s.)." histologically="" morphometry="" significantly="" neointima="" treatment="" plasmid="" .05="" evans="" blue="" staining="" demonstrated="" complete="" repair="" already="" weeks="" intervention="" transfer="" resulted="" significant="" inhibition="" without="" compromising="" repair.="" therefore="" use="" the="" may="" offer="" solution="" to="" suppress="" while="" preventing="" subacute="" late="" thrombosis.="">