Background Inflammation plays a pivotal role in the proliferation of neointimal hyperplasia (NIH) after stenting. So inflammatory response might be reflect NIH. We compared the relationship between inflammatory markers and NIH after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation. Methods We performed PCI with a single DES in 42 consecutive stable angina patients (26 men; 59.7짹10.1 years of age). The plasma hs-CRP, IL-6 and MMP-9 values were serially measured before and at 24, 72 hours after the PCI. The difference (��) of each inflammatory markers between baseline and each stages after PCI was calculated. Patients were grouped into quartiles according to inflammatory marker and �� inflammatory marker values at each stage. An angiography and IVUS study were performed at pre, post PCI and 9 months after the PCI. Results No relationship was found between hs-CRP value at baseline and NIH proliferation (P=.228). However, a significant positive correlation was noted between the �� hs-CRP level and NIH at 24 hr (r=.435, P<.05) after PCI. There was also trend for positive correlation between the �� hs-CRP level and NIH at 72 hr (r=.277, P=.076) after PCI. The NIH volume in the fourth (20.1짹25.1 mm³) was higher than that in the first quartiles (2.7짹6.4 mm³) of hs-CRP at 24 hr (P<.05). Moreover, the NIH volume in the fourth (20.9짹26.4 mm³) was higher than that in the first quartiles (3.3짹8.6 mm³) of the �� hs-CRP at 24 hr (P<.05). Although IL-6 value at baseline and IL-6 value at 72hr after PCI were positively correlated with NIH proliferation (r=.337, P<.05, r=.435, P<.05, respectively), the �� IL-6 at any stage was not correlated with NIH proliferation. Conversely, neither MMP-9 at baseline nor the �� MMP-9 at any stage were not correlated with NIH proliferation. Conclusions Among three inflammatory markers, the inflammatory response after PCI, as measured hs-CRP values, but not preprocedureal hs-CRP value, predict NIH proliferation after DES implantation.