A novel mechanism explaining early lumen loss following balloon angioplasty for the treatment of in-stent restenosis

We performed serial intravascular ultrasound analysis in patients who underwent balloon dilatation for in-stent restenosis. Early lumen loss was detected by intravascular ultrasound and was associated with minimal changes at the edges and at the external elastic membrane. These results on intravascular ultrasound suggest compression and decompression as the main mechanisms for early lumen loss after dilatation of in-stent restenotic lesions.