Characteristics of early versus late in-stent restenosis in second-generation drug-eluting stents: an optical coherence tomography study

AIMS: In-stent restenosis (ISR) is an important cause of drug-eluting stent (DES) failure and target vessel revascularisation. In this study we aimed to evaluate differences between early and late-presenting restenosis in second-generation DES using optical coherence tomography (OCT). METHODS AND RESULTS: Overall, 171 cases of second-generation DES ISR with a follow-up OCT minimum lumen area 1 year). Minimum stent area (MSA) 2 years, absence of statin use, and NIH >50% were independent predictors for neoatherosclerosis (all p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: OCT morphological characteristics of second-generation DES ISR differ between early and late presentation. Early ISR was associated with MSA <4.0 mm2, while neoatherosclerosis contributed more commonly to late ISR.