A case of a newly developed yellow neointima at stent implanted site 1 year after sirolimus-eluting stent placement: angioscopic findings

J Cardiol. 2009 Aug;54(1):153-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jjcc.2008.10.010. Epub 2008 Dec 20.

Abstract

Coronary angioscopy is a useful tool for understanding plaque characteristics through the plaque color and surface thrombus formation. We experienced an interesting case of a newly developed yellow neointima 400 days after a sirolimus-eluting stent implantation. A 72-year-old woman suffering from angina pectoris was admitted to our hospital. Coronary angiography revealed severe stenosis at the proximal left descending artery and she was implanted with a sirolimus-eluting stent. Coronary angioscopic observation immediately after stent implantation revealed the presence of yellow plaque only at the most severe stenosis lesion in the stent placement site. We performed a coronary angiography 400 days after the sirolimus-eluting stent implantation and did not find an in-stent restenosis. An intravascular ultrasound indicated minimum neointimal formation. By coronary angioscopy, we could clearly observe that the neointima had covered the surface of the stent struts; the stent struts were barely visible under the neointima. Surprisingly, neointima formed in response to the sirolimus-eluting stent was entirely yellow. Precise mechanisms of producing yellow neointima was unknown, we may observe a pathologic neointima induced by sirolimus-eluting stent.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Angioscopy*
  • Coronary Vessels / pathology*
  • Drug-Eluting Stents / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Neointima / pathology*
  • Sirolimus

Substances

  • Sirolimus