Objectives:
It is suggested that drug eluting stents (DES) may have systemic anti-inflammatory properties and this can play a role in decreased restenosis rates. We aimed to compare bare metal stents (BMS) and DES for their effects on C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, a good marker of systemic inflammation. We also aimed to investigate the relationship between the inflammation levels and myonecrosis and adverse cardiac events.
Materials and Methods:
Patients undergoing elective stent implantation were grouped as BMS (n=70) and DES (n=42). Basal and 24th hour postprocedural CRP and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) levels were measured and the difference (delta=Δ) was compared between the groups. The patients were followed up for adverse cardiac events for one year.
Results:
The mean age was 62±11 years and 75% were males. There was significant CRP rise in both groups at the 24th hour, but the ΔCRP was 2.1 (0.5-6.2) mg/L in the BMS group and 2.3 (0.2-5.2) mg/L in the DES group, the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.703). ΔCK-MB and adverse cardiac event rates were similar between the two groups (p=0.897 and p=0.785). There was no correlation between ΔCRP and ΔCK-MB (r=-0.090 and p=0.459 for BMS, r=0.158 and p=0.318 for DES). The effect of ΔCRP on the incidence of adverse cardiac events was not significant (p=0.349 for BMS, p=0.135 for DES).
Conclusion:
Our findings reveal that patients with BMS and DES implantation exhibit similar grade of systemic inflammation after the procedure. At similar levels of systemic inflammation, the local anti-inflammatory properties of DES can play a role at decreased restenosis rates.
Keywords: Bare Metal Stent, Drug Eluting Stent, CRP, Inflammation