Restenosis: do we need to understand it to treat it?

Restenosis has been the major therapeutic challenge of interventional cardiology over the past two decades. Andreas Grüentzig reported that restenosis occurred in 30% of his initial patient population (1). Since then, the number of patients developing restenosis has increased, largely because of the treatment of more complex cases. In the early to mid-1990s, coronary stents were introduced, and they have made a significant impact on the practice of interventional cardiology. Their popularity is due not only to the fact that they reduce restenosis, but also that they are relatively easy to use, they result in a reliable, superior angiographic result, and they have helped level the playing field among operators. Despite improved outcomes, coronary stents also develop restenosis within or adjacent to the stent. Although