A randomized trial in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary angioplasty: Roxithromycin does not reduce clinical restenosis but angioplasty increases antibody concentrations against Chlamydia pneumoniae

Treatment with roxithromycin was not associated with a reduction of symptomatic restenoses. During follow-up, a marked increase in antichlamydial antibodies, TNF-α, and eotaxin was observed, suggesting that angioplasty-induced plaque rupture induces a specific immunological response without activation of inflammatory mechanisms as represented by C-reactive protein. Whether this mechanism occurs in all plaque ruptures remains to be determined.