Prior Cytomegalovirus, Chlamydia pneumoniae or Helicobacter pylori infection and the risk of restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

We investigated a possible correlation between the serologic status concerning Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Chlamydia pneumoniae (CP) and Helicobacter pylori (HP) and the occurrence of restenosis in patients undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty for symptomatic coronary artery disease. Tests for anti-CMV IgG, anti-Chlamydia pneumoniae IgG and IgA and HP IgG and IgA were performed with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Restenosis was defined as ≥50% stenosis at follow-up angiography in a vessel with less than 50% stenosis immediately after PTCA. Of 148 patients, 112 (75.7%) were seropositive for CMV, 75 (50.7%) were seropositive for CP and 78 (52.7%) were seropositive for HP. Restenosis occured in 31.8% of patients. CMV seropositivity was established in 74.5% of patients with restenosis versus 76.2% without restenosis (P=0.82), CP seropositivity was established in 44.7% of patients with restenosis versus 53.5% without restenosis (P=0.32), HP seropositivity was established in 53.2% of patients with restenosis versus 52.5% without restenosis (P=0.94). In contrast to some earlier studies CMV or HP seropositivity could not be found to be associated with the risk of restenosis after coronary intervention. An association between the serological status of CP and restenosis could also not be established.