Local Application of Antisense for Prevention of Restenosis

In 1977, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) was first introduced (1 ), and it has become an effective treatment for limited coronary artery disease (2 ). PTCA treatment has since become more extensive and gained favor as an alternative treatment for coronary artery bypass grafting (3 ). The artery is injured at the site of PTCA, leading to wound healing responses including thrombosis, smooth muscle proliferation and migration, elastic recoil, and vascular remodeling. Each of these responses may contribute to recurrent obstruction or vessel narrowing, referred to as restenosis.