The detection of restenosis risk in patients receiving a stent

Abstract

Provided is a method of selecting a stent for implantation in the circulatory system of a human being. The method comprises obtaining a blood sample from a patient who requires implantation of a stent and testing said blood sample to determine a platelet coagulability level. The determined platelet coagulability level of said blood sample is compared with a threshold level of blood platelet coagulability. A determined platelet coagulability level above said threshold level indicates that a risk of restenosis is relatively high. If the determined platelet coagulability level is below said threshold level, a bare metal stent is selected. If the determined platelet coagulability level is at or above said threshold level, a drug-eluting stent is selected.

1 . A method of selecting a stent for implantation in the circulatory system of a human being including the steps of:
 a) determining a threshold level of platelet hyper-coaguability (PHC) of blood, above which a risk of restenosis is relatively high;   b) obtaining a blood sample from a patient who requires implantation of a stent;   c) testing said blood sample for its PHC;   d) comparing PHC of said blood sample with said threshold level;   e) if said blood sample has a PHC below said threshold level, selecting a bare metal stent; and   f) if said blood sample has a PHC at or above said threshold level, selecting a drug-eluting stent.   
     
     
         2 - 24 . (canceled)