Stent restenosis in a Chinese population

Background Stents are now widely used in Hong Kong and China and there is a clinical impression that restenosis is less common because of the lower prevalence of coronary artery disease and associated risk factors in the Chinese. However, there are no published data on angiographic stent restenosis rates in Chinese patients. Method In a prospective study of 114 consecutive Chinese patients who underwent coronary stenting, quantitative coronary analyses were made at the time of stent implantation and subsequently at 6 months post-stenting (n=97). Results At 6 months, restenosis (≥50% diameter stenosis in the dilated segment) was present in 42 (43.3%) of the 97 patients and 54 (33.5%) of the total 161 lesions stented. Vessel reference diameter (VRD) of <3 mm and stented length of ≥18 mm were associated with higher restenosis rates (36% and 38%). Compared to those without, those with restenosis had a greater residual stenosis of 16.53±11.54% and smaller final minimal luminal diameter (MLD) of 2.41±0.49 mm, (p<0.01 and p<0.008 respectively). Standard coronary risk factors were not associated with a higher rate of restenosis. Lesion morphology was significantly associated with restenosis. Conclusion Coronary stenting in Hong Kong Chinese patients is associated with a restenosis rate comparable to that demonstrated in previously published trials from populations in the West.