[Dose-dependent decrease of the rate of restenosis of stents in peripheral vessels with reviparin].

PURPOSE

In clinical prospective trials, we examined the effect of the low molecular weight heparin (lmwh) reviparin on restenosis rate after Strecker stent implantation in femoral popliteal arteries.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

62 patients were treated between 1992 and 1998. Patients received reviparin, 3500 IU, prior to stent implantation followed by 7500 IU for 24 h (i.v.) and 2 x 1750 IU/day s.c. over three weeks (n = 12) or 10,500 IU for 24 h (i.v.) and 2 x 3500 IU/day s.c. over 3 1/2 weeks (n = 50). Follow-up parameters were clinical symptoms, ankle-brachial index, color Doppler flow duplex sonography, and DSA.

RESULTS

Three thrombotic occlusions and three stenoses were observed in the low-dose group. Raising the dose resulted in neither thrombotic nor other events within the first three months. Seven stenoses occurred afterwards up to the 7th month. The complication rate was low: one moderate hematoma and one puncture aneurysm. Primary patency rate was 88% and 80% for one and two years, respectively. This is significantly better than the primary patency rates for patients receiving low-dose lmwh (p < 0.005) or unfractionated heparin (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Hence, high-dose administration of the lmwh reviparin lowers the restenosis rate after stent implantation in femoropopliteal arteries.