Relationship between tensile stress and plaque growth after balloon angioplasty treated with and without intracoronary beta-brachytherapy.

Aims: We investigated the influence of tensile stress on plaque growth after balloon angioplasty with and without beta-radiation therapy.

Methods And Results: Thirty-one consecutive patients successfully treated with balloon angioplasty were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively by means of an ECG-gated three-dimensional intravascular ultrasound post-procedure and at follow-up. Eighteen patients were irradiated with catheter-based beta-radiation ((90)Sr/(90)Y source) and 13 were not (control).