Figure 1.

Error bar charts show (A) a stable CD34⁺/KDR⁺ subpopulation count during the early post-procedure stage (within 7 h) and a small upregulation after 24 h; (B) the CD133⁺/CD34⁺/KDR⁺ subpopulation levels were stable during the procedure: The significantly low content in peripheral blood may be partly responsible for that but a dynamic equilibrium cannot be excluded; (C) an early increase (P=0.016) 3 h post-PCI is observed, then a rapid decline (P=0.01) 6 h post-surgery is seen in CD133⁻CD34⁺KDR⁺ subpopulation with a delayed increase from both the lowest point at 7 h and the baseline value of this subpopulation of cells at 24 h post PCI (^△P=0.032, *P=0.048, respectively); (D) a gentle and significant increase is shown in CD133⁺/CD34⁺ cells at 3 and 24 h following the balloon dilation; (E) a moderate reduction of the CD133⁺/KDR⁺ subpopulation was shown at 3 h post-procedure with the low status continuing until 24 h post PCI. CI, confidence interval; CD, cluster of differentiation; KDR, kinase domain receptor; PTCA, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.