OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effectiveness and safety of sirolimus-eluting stents (SESs) for treatment of in-stent restenosis (ISR).

METHODSAll 27 patients with ISR and clinical evidence of ischemia had been treated with SESs. Among them, 23 patients had diffuse and complex lesions, and 5 of them received 2 SESs. Clinical and angiographic follow-up were performed for all patients and the results were analyzed.

RESULTSAll stents were implanted successfully. There were no remained stenosis and major in-hospital complications. Average follow-up time was 8.9 +/- 2.1 (5-14) months, with a clinical follow-up rate of 96.3% and angiographic follow-up rate of 92.6%. During the follow-up, there was none of death. One patient had recurrent angina with an angiographic evidence of the proximal edge restenosis of the stent. Mild neointimal hyperplasia in the proximal edge was found in 2 patients, but the stenosis was less than 25%. No late lumen loss was found in other 24 patients. The late lumen loss of the in-stent averaged 0.09 +/- 0.02 mm, and of the distal edge vessel averaged 0.10 +/- 0.03 mm, and of the proximal edge vessel averaged 0.20 +/- 0.06 mm. The rate of target vessel revascularization was 3.8%.

CONCLUSIONThe SES implantation is safe and feasible for the treatment of in-stent restenosis, which could effectively prevent neointimal hyperplasia and recurrent restenosis of the lesion.