Background: Vascular brachytherapy (VBT) has been proven to reduce restenosis rate and unwanted cardiac events in several randomized trials. Long-term data on populations at high risk for re-interventions are few. The aim of this study was to assess the acute and one-year outcome of beta-radiation in coronary in-stent restenoses with a high likelihood of recurrence.
Methods: In 79 patients, VBT using 90Yttrium/Strontium or 32Phosphorus, was performed. Clinical and angiographic follow-up was carried out after 6 months and 1 year.
Results: 44.4 % of patients had three-vessel coronary artery disease and a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidity. Mean lesion length was 36.8+/-18.9 mm. VBT was successful in all patients. Fractionation of VBT was necessary in 2,5 %. Acute gain of luminal diameter was 2.15+/-0.89 mm. During the hospital stay one acute myocardial infarction (AMI) not associated with VBT occurred. After 6 months loss of luminal diameter measured 0.39+/-0.47 mm, equaling a restenosis rate (RR) of 16.8 % (1 year: 0.60+/-0.56 mm, RR 33.5 %). 18.9 % of patients required revascularization of the target lesion (1 year: 29.5 %). After 6 months, all patients survived, three had an AMI after discontinuation of clopidogrel, one of them was asymptomatic (1 year: 1 cardiac death, 2 symptomatic AMI).
Conclusion: Beta-VBT in patients at a high risk for recurrence after angioplasty is feasible and safe. Though the clinical and angiographic results at 1 year showed some impairment as opposed to the 6-months-follow-up, they nevertheless are largely superior to those patients from historic controls not treated with VBT.