Pre-clinical assessment of Eptifibatide Eluting Stents

The advent of drug eluting stents has revolutionized the field of interventional cardiology by reducing the need for repeat revascularization. Despite dual anti-platelet therapy, stent thrombosis persists at a rate of 0.5¿2% in elective cases, and up to 6% in patients with ACS. It is well established that atherosclerosis is a slow, complex disease in which deposits of lipids, cellular waste products, calcium and other substances build up in the inner lining of an artery. The earliest phase is fatty streak formation which is a pure inflammatory lesion, consisting only of T lymphocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages. Recently there has been emphasis on the involvement of inflammation in mediating all stages of atherosclerosis. However, in addition to inflammation, a key process of atherosclerosis involves the proliferation & subsequent accumulation of SMCs (Smooth Muscle Cell) within the intima causing stenosis of the arteries. Eptifibatide currently used systemically for its potent anti-platelet properties, thought to inhibit SMC receptor as well as platelet glycoprotein IIb receptor and thus may influence both thrombosis and proliferation. This formed the basis of my book.