Mechanism of Late In-Stent Restenosis After Implantation of a Paclitaxel Derivate–Eluting Polymer Stent System in Humans

Abstract

Restenotic lesions from QuaDS-QP2-eluting stents at 12 months show persistent fibrin deposition with varying degrees of inflammation. These pathological changes, representing delayed healing, are usually observed up to only 3 months in human coronary arteries with stainless steel balloon-expandable stents. The nonreabsorbable polymer alone may have induced chronic inflammation.