The reparative phenomena at the site of balloon angioplasty in humans and experimental models
Abstract We have previously described the healing phenomena after PTCA in humans and developed a swine model of balloon angioplasty that closely mimics the vascular responses seen in humans. Our data from clinical, autopsy, and animal studies strongly indicate that thrombus formation at the site of balloon angioplasty is a rare event in both humans and experimental animals. Restenosis is a reactive proliferative response to the arterial wall injury characterized predominantly, but not exclusively, by smooth muscle cell proliferation and excessive synthesis of connective tissue matrix. Luminal phenomena such as adhesion and activation of platelets and leukocytes contribute to the proliferative processes.