Genomics of In-Stent Restenosis

Study Summary

This study, conducted in Argentina at the Hospital Espa ol de la Plata and the Hospital Franc s de Buenos Aires, in collaboration with the NHLBI, will investigate possible genetic factors that lead to in-stent restenosis. A stent is a wire mesh tube that is surgically placed to open a blocked artery. The stent stays in the artery permanently, holding it open to improve blood flow. In the case of blocked coronary arteries, the stent improves blood flow to the heart muscle, relieving symptoms such as chest pain and shortness of breath. Sometimes re-growth of tissue within a stent, called in-stent restenosis, leads to narrowing of the artery, decreased blood flow, and a recurrence of symptoms. Genetic analysis may allow the identification of patient that may be at increased risk for in-stent restenosis and lead to methods of prevention and treatment. Patients 18 years of age and older who are undergoing coronary endarterectomy (surgery to remove plaque from an artery) to treat in-stent restenosis at the Hospital Espa ol de la Plata and the Hospital Franc s de Buenos Aires may be eligible for this study. Participants will have a blood sample drawn and undergo coronary endarterectomy. Tissue removed from the patient's artery or the stent during surgery will be analyzed for gene expression profiling and genotyping. The results will be studied along with information about the patients' medical history.