Abstract

Neoatherosclerosis: a novel player in late stent failure

Author(s): RA Montone, AM Mirizzi & G Niccoli

Neoatherosclerosis is a newly formed atherosclerotic change within the neointima following bare-metal stent (BMS) or drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation. Of importance, recent studies suggested an important role for neoatherosclerosis in late events after both DES and BMS implantation. In particular, the development of neoatherosclerosis has been associated with occurrence of late in-stent restenosis (ISR) and stent thrombosis (ST). In this review, we describe pathogenetic mechanisms responsible for neoatherosclerosis and evidence derived from histopathologic and intravascular imaging studies.