Expression of P-selectin, von Willebrand and endothelin-1 after carotid artery stenting

Background: This study was designed to investigate the impact of carotid artery stenting (CAS) on plasma levels of P-selectin, von Willebrand (vWF) and endothelin-1. Patients and methods: Sixty-seven patients who received CAS were divided into group 1 (one stent for a simple lesion, n = 38) and group 2 (two stents for complex lesions, n = 29). The levels of P-selectin, vWF and endothelin-1 were measured before CAS, 1 h, 6h, 24 h and 2 weeks after the stenting. Results: Sixty-one patients completed one-year follow up. Restenosis was noted in 14 (23 %) patients, among these three (4.8 %) had a restenosis of > 50 % of the vascular lumen. In all patients, the levels of P-selectin, vWF and endothelin-1 increased immediately after CAS (P < 0.05 or < 0.01). The levels of vWF and endothelin-1 in group 2 were higher than in group 1 (P < 0.05 or 0.01). There was no significant difference in P-selectin and endothelin-1 between the restenosis and non-restenosis group (P > 0.05). The 24 h vWF in patients with restenosis were higher than in non-restenosis group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: CAS results in a significant increase in plasma P-selectin, vWF and endothelin-1. The post-CAS levels of P-selectin, vWF and endothelin-1 are related to the extent of endothelial injury. Whether they are associated with restenosis 12 months after the treatment requires further investigation.