The statistical risk of intrastent stenosis has fallen considerably with the emergence of latest generation coated stents (drug-eluting stents: DES). The number and clinical lifespan of stents implanted over the last twenty-five years, however, explain the fact that restenosis remains a not unusual clinical problem which is expressed as a recurrence of angina or of an acute coronary syndrome (ACS).
The mechanisms involved in this restenosis are multifactorial in nature and differ depending on the type of stent and the time since the restenosis occurred. In symptomatic stent restenosis (angina or acute coronary syndrome), a further angioplasty is usually required, occasionally on an emergency basis. Coronary angiography is often not capable of explaining the mechanical causes of this complication.
Optical coherence tomography (OCT), a high-resolution endocoronary imaging technique can assist in the understanding of the mechanism of restenosis and guide treatment. OCT during angiography provides a detailed analysis of the stents and potential complications: the presence of neoatherosclerosis with or without plaque rupture, intimal hyperplasia, stent under-deployment, stent fracture and distal or proximal progression of the atherosclerosis.
The investigators propose a prospective, multicentre study of all cases of intrastent restenosis, examined by angiography, causing clinical features involving stable angina and acute coronary syndrome. The coronary artery involved will be routinely studied by OCT for a mechanical cause of the intrastent restenosis. The routine use of intrastent OCT may assist in the understanding of causes of restenosis and in the decision on appropriate treatment. There are several possible treatments for restenosis, including balloon angioplasty, coated balloon angioplasty, stenting or aorto-coronary bypass graft surgery.