Ppar-Gamma EliminAtes Restenosis Longevity Study: PEARLS

Inclusion Criteria:

• The patient's age >/=18 years;

• Patients must meet MS definition, which means that each patient must meet at least 3 of listed requirements of MS:

  • A waist circumference of 40 inches or more for men and 35 inches or more for women (measured across the belly);
  • A blood pressure of 130/85 mm Hg or higher;
  • A triglyceride level 150 mg/dl or above;
  • A fasting blood glucose level greater than 110 mg/dl , but less than 126; and/or
  • A high density lipoprotein level (HDL) less than 40 mg/dl (men) or under 50 mg/dl (women).
• Patients eligible for PCI;
• Patients must receive at least one bare metal stent;
• The patient has stable or unstable angina with clinical evidence of ischemia (ECG, exercise test, etc.); and/or
• The patient is able and willing to conform to the requirements of the study including repeat angiographic follow-up at 9 months, and voluntarily signs an Informed Consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• • Patient has experienced an ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction within the preceding 48 hours; Patient must have CPK and CK-MB <3 times upper limit of normal at the time of angioplasty and enrollment;

  • Previously diagnosed with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes and controlling glucose by one or a combination of the following treatments: diet, oral anti-diabetic agents, or insulin;
  • Patient had or plans to have CABG within 9 months;
  • Ejection fraction <35%; class III-IV CHF;
  • Active liver disease (ALT >2.5 times upper limit of normal);
  • Women who are pregnant;
  • A platelet count of less than 100,000 cells/mm3;
  • Impaired renal function (creatinine ≥2.5 mg/dL) or status post renal transplant;
  • Recipient of heart transplant;
  • Patient with a life expectancy less than 12 months;
  • Known allergies to aspirin, clopidogrel bisulfate (PlavixR) and ticlopidine (TiclidR), heparin, bivalirudin, contrast, or pioglitazone, that cannot be medically managed;
  • Any significant medical condition, which in the investigator's opinion, may interfere with the patient's optimal participation in the study;
  • Currently participating in an investigational drug or another device study;
  • Current use of any thiazolidinedione (Rosiglitazone (Avandia) or Poiglitazone (Actos).