Acute-Phase Response after Stent Implantation in the Carotid Artery: Association with 6-month In-Stent Restenosis

Abstract
PURPOSE: To determine the prognostic importance of periintervention serum levels of acute-phase reactants in 6-month restenosis after stent implantation in the carotid artery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred eight consecutive patients with 70% or greater stenosis of the internal carotid artery (ICA) according to the North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial criteria underwent successful stent implantation in the ICA in a prospective cohort study. Six-month patency was evaluated at color-coded duplex ultrasonography. The association between in-stent restenosis (≥50%, North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial criterion) and C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A levels at baseline and at 24 and 48 hours after intervention was assessed. RESULTS: Restenosis was found in 15 (14%) patients within 6 months. CRP level at 48 hours, exemplary for the postintervention acute-phase response, was significantly (P = .01) associated with 6-month restenosis by using multiple logistic r...