Lipid peroxidation may predict restenosis after coronary balloon angioplasty

The present study assessed whether lipid peroxidation in plasma might predict restenosis after coronary balloon angioplasty. A total of 87 patients, who had undergone successful coronary balloon angioplasty using standard techniques, were enrolled. Fasting blood samples before the intervention were measured for plasma levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS, an indicator of lipid peroxidation). Angiography was carried out before and 15 min after angioplasty, and at follow-up (4 months after angioplasty), and evaluated using a quantitative approach. There were 23 patients with restenosis (group R) and 64 patients without restenosis (group N) after coronary balloon angioplasty. The plasma TEARS level (mean +/- SEM) of 4.3 +/- 0.1 mu mol/L in group R was significantly higher than that of 3.2 +/- 0.1 mu mol/L in group N (p < 0.01). There were no significant differences in other parameters, including plasma lipid levels, between the 2 groups. The plasma level of TEARS positively correlated with lumen loss of the coronary artery at the time of follow-up angiography (r = 0.57, p < 0.01). Our results suggest that oxidative stress contributes to restenosis and indicate that an elevated plasma level of TEARS may be a reliable predictor of restenosis.