Effect of antioxidant probucol for preventing stent restenosis.

Probucol is a lipid-lowering drug that has an antioxidant effect. The authors sought to investigate the effect of probucol on stent restenosis after the usual 3-day pretreatment protocol. From March 1999 to August 2000, 78 patients (mean age, 56 +/- 8; 49 male) with coronary artery disease who underwent coronary stenting were enrolled. After a diagnostic angiography was done, each eligible patient was randomized to either the probucol or the control group. Following the procedure, ticlopidine was administered for 1 month; aspirin and probucol continuously. Angiographic follow-up was done in 81% (57/70) and angiographic restenosis was not different between the two groups (21% vs. 24%; P = 0.81). In conclusion, antioxidant probucol did not show a beneficial effect on stent restenosis with 3 days of premedication protocol.