OBJECTIVES: In a histopathologic study, we assessed the balance of cell proliferation and apoptosis by counting the number of apoptotic and proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive cells in freshly harvested atherectomy specimens from 34 @entity1 . BACKGROUND: Remodeling of @entity1 coronary arteries is an adaptive process that alters vascular lumen size. METHODS: Intravascular ultrasound was performed prior to atherectomy. Total vessel area (area within the external elastic lamina [EEL]), lumen area and plaque area were measured at the region of interest (ROI), and at a proximal and distal reference segment, utilizing the formula Delta(%)=100x(ROI-reference segment)/reference segment. Positive arterial remodeling (R+) resulting in luminal expansion was defined as DeltaEEL >10%. Absence of remodeling (0 < DeltaEEL <10%) and constrictive arterial remodeling (DeltaEEL <0) were considered as neutral remodeling (R0) and negative remodeling (R-), respectively. RESULTS: In R- lesions, apoptotic indices (APO) were significantly elevated (17.17 +/- 2.19%) compared with R+ lesions (4.89 +/- 1.7%; p = 0.0007). In a @entity95 iliac percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty model intimal apoptosis was increased four weeks after @entity130 (APO 8.8 +/- 0.03%) compared with contralateral untreated segments (APO 3.0 +/- 0.04%, n = 6). Lesions with an EEL/intimal area <3.0 showed significantly more intimal apoptosis than untreated lesions (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The data indicate that constrictive remodeling of @entity731 coronary lesions is associated with increased apoptosis of intimal cells. We speculate that increased apoptosis is due to extensive @entity527 after episodes of symptomatic or asymptomatic @entity397 .

Increased intimal apoptosis in coronary XXXX vessel segments lacking compensatory enlargement.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['human', 'patients'] @entity527 :: ('MESH:D058225', 'Disease') :: ['plaque healing'] @entity95 :: ('9986', 'Species') :: ['rabbit'] @entity397 :: ('MESH:D012421', 'Disease') :: ['plaque rupture'] @entity731 :: ('MESH:D050197', 'Disease') :: ['atherosclerotic'] @entity130 :: ('MESH:D014947', 'Disease') :: ['balloon angioplasty injury']
@entity731 :: (MESH:D050197,Disease) :: ['atherosclerotic']
