Intimal Hyperplasia Evaluated by Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) in de Novo Coronary Lesions Treated by Drug-eluting Balloon and Bare-metal Stent

Restenosis due to neointimal hyperplasia causes repeat target vessel revascularization in a relevant number of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Drug-eluting stents (DES) are currently adopted to reduce the rate of restenosis; however, they may increase risk of stent thrombosis. Experimental data and first clinical experiences showed that inhibition of neointimal hyperplasia may be obtained by local administration of anti-proliferative drugs (like paclitaxel) loaded on the surface of angioplasty balloons. Data on the efficacy of novel coronary drug-eluting balloons (DEBs) are lacking. Aims of this open label prospective, randomized trial is to evaluate neointimal hyperplasia in patients undergoing bare-metal stent (BMS) implantation alone compared to those receiving additional DEB use and to assess if the technique of DEB use may affect the degree of neointimal hyperplasia. Neointimal hyperplasia will be assessed by Optical coherence tomography (OCT).