Coronary artery restenosis following transluminal coronary angioplasty.

Morphological changes are described in a case of coronary restenosis occurring three and ten months after transluminal coronary angioplasty. The lesions consisted of severe narrowing of the previously mechanically dilated coronary segments. This narrowing was produced by fibrocellular intimal hyperplasia associated with rupture of the media whereas the atheromatous plaque was not involved. This suggests that medial injury associated with healing intimal hyperplasia could be the major factor resulting in late coronary restenosis.