A biological basis for re-stenosis after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty: possible underlying mechanisms.

Intravascular catheterization is a commonly used diagnostic tool and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty is used to dilate stenosed blood vessels. Although these techniques are very successful diagnostically and therapeutically they may precipitate a number of acute and chronic complications. Chronic intimal changes following balloon angioplasty can result in re-stenosis. Intimal hyperplasia can be a long-term complication of both diagnostic and interventional vascular catheterization. This article details these long-term structural changes, specifically relating experimental in vivo and in vitro changes to those seen clinically.