Timing of clopidogrel loading dose on peripheral blood endothelial progenitor cells, SDF-1α and neointimal hyperplasia in carotid stenting.

Background: Carotid stenting stimulates intimal proliferation through platelet and stem cell activation.

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate whether the administration before or after carotid stenting of clopidogrel loading dose may play a role on circulating endothelial progenitor cells, stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) and neointimal hyperplasia.

Methods: We recruited 13 patients (aged 74.