Pathology of the arterial wall after stent implantation: macroscopical and histological findings after interventional therapy in iliac and femoral arteries

Abstract

After the explantation of 9 segments of iliac and femoral arteries with inlying stents macroscopical, radiological, histological and histochemical investigations were accomplished. The findings consisted of the identification of regular processes due to the contact between the stent struts and the arterial wall.
A smouldering inflammation in the area surrounding the filaments, the appearance of a proliferating neointima, the proof of a neoendothelium and a differing reaction to the stent depending on the varying quality of the arterial wall in contact were part of the findings. The clinical consequences are also discussed.