Helicobacter Pylori Infection is Not Related to Restenosis Following Angioplasty

Chronic inflammation is thought to be important in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a common chronic infection of humans that has been definitely linked to peptic ulcer. The evidence implicating H. pylori with atherosclerosis is controversial. We decided to investigate an effect of H. pylori infection on the restenosis after coronary angioplasty. Ninety four patients who underwent PTCA and a subsequent repeat angiography were included in the study. The indications for angiography and repeat PTCA were determined by the attending cardiologist. H. pylori serology was determined by ELISA. Sixteen (17.2%) of the patients developed restenosis. Of these 16, 12 (75%) were H. pylori seropositive versus 44 (56.4%) of the 78 patients who did not develop restenosis, p = 0.13. There was no difference between the H. pylori positive and negative patients with respect to cholesterol level, hypertension, diabetes or peptic disease. There appears to be no relationship between H. pylori and the development of restenosis following PTCA.