Purpose: Statins seem to be suitable for restenosis prevention via reduction of smooth muscle cell proliferation, anti-inflammatory effects, and improvement of endothelial function. The aim of the present study was to test the efficacy of an atorvastatin stent coating for restenosis inhibition in the porcine coronary stent model.
Methods and results: Twenty stents (BiodivYsio Matrix LO, uncoated or with 56 microg atorvastatin load) were implanted in LAD and CX coronary arteries of 10 domestic pigs with an over stretch ratio of 1.25. Quantitative angiography and histomorphometry of the stented arteries asserted statistic equality of the baseline parameters between the control and treatment group. After 28 days, there was no significant difference in parameters describing in-stent restenosis (neointimal area 3.14 +/- 1.13 mm(2) [control] vs. 3.12 +/- 1.07 mm(2) [atorvastatin stent]; p = 0.978). However, there was a trend towards a lower degree of inflammation in the atorvastatin stent group.
Conclusion: Atorvastatin stent coating showed a trend towards reduced local inflammation near the stent struts, but could not reduce neointimal formation in the porcine coronary over stretch model.