We aimed to assess a possible difference of the neointimal coverage status and its quality after implantation of the current-generation metallic stents in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS... Show moreWe aimed to assess a possible difference of the neointimal coverage status and its quality after implantation of the current-generation metallic stents in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) vs. stable coronary lesions (non-ACS). We comprehensively analyzed three prospective single-center observational studies RESTORE (UMIN000033009), HEAL-BioFreedom (UMIN000029692), and HEAL-BioFreedom ACS (UMIN000034769). All patients who received successful optical coherence tomography (OCT) examination at planned 3-month follow-up after stent implantation were analyzed. Study population was divided into two groups, ACS vs. non-ACS groups. We evaluated standard OCT variables, coverage percent, and the quantitative light property values including light intensity, attenuation, and backscatter of neointima. A total of 177 lesions from 154 patients (ACS 44 lesions vs. non-ACS 133 lesions) were analyzed. At 3-month follow-up, coverage percent (ACS 91.5 +/- 9.5% vs. non-ACS 91.8 +/- 9.0%, P = 0.722) and neointimal thickness (ACS 59.5 +/- 32.3 mu m vs. non-ACS 58.2 +/- 32.3 mu m, P = 0.760) did not significantly differ. Light property values were similar between both groups (light intensity 159.29 +/- 72.20 vs. 159.45 +/- 63.78, P = 0.654; light attenuation 0.88 +/- 0.26 vs. 0.87 +/- 0.24 m(-1), P = 0.988; backscatter 4.86 +/- 0.58 vs. 4.83 +/- 0.57, P = 0.812). The similarity of the neointimal quality in ACS and non-ACS patients was consistent across the 6 different types of current-generation metallic stents (P for interaction > 0.05). Our findings suggested the comparable neointimal characteristics 3 months after implantation of the current-generation metallic stents in patients with ACS and stable coronary lesions by quantitative OCT methodology. Show less
