Complete myocardial revascularization: between myth and reality

Coronary artery bypass grafting versus percutaneous coronary intervention in single-vessel left anterior descending artery disease: mid-term propensity matching study

Introduction

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has been considered to be the proven therapeutic choice for coronary artery disease. However, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents is increasingly used for extensive coronary artery disease with contradictory results. The aim of this study is to compare immediate- and mid-term results of CABG where skeletonized internal mammary artery (IMA) was used as in situ graft versus PCI with serolimus drug eluted stents (SES) in single-vessel left anterior descending artery (LAD) disease.

Methods

In 2014-2022, 938 patients treated for isolated LAD revascularization were included in this study. Among them, there were 346 patients with CABG-IMA and 592 patients with SES-PCI. CABG-IMA patients (n = 266) were compared with SES-PCI patients (n = 266) in propensity score-matched method.Primary outcome measures were identified as all-cause mortality at 30 days and 3 years after surgery, while secondary outcome measures were length of hospital stay and the incidence of postoperative major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE).

Results

Increased incidence for post procedural MACCE after PCI was recorded (CABG = 1.2% vs. PCI = 5.3%; p < 0.05). There was no difference in immediate-term (30 days: CABG = 1.2% vs. PCI = 1.5%; p = ns) and mid-term (3 years: CABG = 3.7% vs. PCI = 4.5%; p = ns) mortality between the groups. Patient after SES-PCI had shorter length of hospital stay (CABG = 7.7 days vs. PCI = 3.8 days; p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The results of the study indicated that CABG-IMA performed at the time of myocardial revascularization in single-vessel LAD disease is better than SES-PCI. Our conclusion is independent of traditionally accepted risk factors incorporated in the Logistic EuroSCORE II (European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation) and SYNTAX score II (Synergy Between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention with TAXUS and Cardiac Surgery Score II) and is exclusively method related.

Defining the optimal revascularization strategy during protected high-risk procedures with Impella

Complete revascularization (CR) in patients with multi-vessel disease improves outcomes. The use of percutaneous left-ventricular assist devices, such as the Impella heart pump, is useful to minimize the risk of haemodynamic compromise in complex higher risk and clinically indicated patients. The recently published data from the PROTECT III trial suggest more CR during Impella-protected percutaneous coronary intervention with more extensive lesion preparation and treatment, resulting in the reduced need for repeat revascularization. To achieve CR and improve survival, procedural guidance by intravascular imaging, extensive lesion preparation, debulking with atherectomy devices, advanced chronic total occlusion revascularization techniques, and post-interventional treatment with modern anti-platelet medication are essential.

Prognostic stratification of older patients with multivessel coronary artery disease treated with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty based on clinical and biochemical measures: protocol for a prospective cohort study

INTRODUCTION

The incidence of acute coronary syndrome is rising in step with the growth of life expectancy. An increase in the age of patients with coronary artery disease has been related to in-hospital mortality, which has seen an upsurge over a short period of time. However, there is no consensus about the percutaneous coronary angioplasty strategy to follow for older patients with multivessel coronary artery disease (MVCAD). Complete revascularisation (CR) or incomplete revascularisation (ICR) strategy depends on prognosis but this has not yet been accurately described because of geriatric conditions and comorbidities. The aim of this study is to evaluate changes of clinical and biochemical parameters in older patients with MVCAD undergoing revascularisation and to establish a prognostic stratification model for CR and ICR.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This observational, longitudinal, prospective study will include 150 patients with MVCAD and subsequent revascularisation who attend the Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Victoria (Málaga, Spain). Because of the dropout rates, 180 patients will be recruited at the beginning. Sociodemographic characteristics, clinical and angiographic parameters, and biochemical variables, such as cardiovascular, metabolic, inflammatory, stress oxidative biomarkers, will be collected in the admission for coronary revascularisation and three follow-ups at 6, 12 and 18 months. Statistical analyses will be conducted with these data using CR and ICR as the primary exposure variable. Relevant explanatory variables will be selected from a predictive model for their inclusion in a prognostic stratification model. The primary outcome measures will be major adverse cardiovascular events.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Protocols and patient information have been approved by the regional research ethics committee (CEIm Provincial de Málaga-PEIBA (PI0131/2020). The results will be disseminated in international peer-reviewed journals, presented at conferences in Cardiology and Gerontology, and sent to participants, medical and health service managers, clinicians and other researchers.

Non-Autologous Grafts in Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Suitable autologous conduits may be lacking when performing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The aim of this review is to determine the status of non-autologous grafts in CABG.

METHODS

We conducted a literature search on MEDLINE All, Embase Classic and Embase through Ovid from 1960 to April 2020.

RESULTS

Of the 1579 records identified, 21 studies were included in the review. The following grafts were assessed for patency: 109 homologous saphenous veins (patency rates ranged from 66.7% at a median follow-up of 8.5 months to 0% at 6-12 and 7-18 months, respectively), 29 expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) grafts (from 80% at a median follow-up of 5 months to 14.3% at 45 months), 12 human umbilical veins (50% at a median follow-up of 6 months), 50 Bioflow bovine internal mammary arteries (from 15.8% to 0% at a mean follow-up of 9.5 and 19 months, respectively), 39 Perma-Flow grafts (80% and 76.9% at 1-3 and 12 months, respectively), 20 No-React bovine internal mammary arteries (57.1% at a median follow-up of 28 months and 23.1% at a mean follow-up of 7 months), 40 autologous venous endothelial cell-seeded ePTFE grafts (94.7% and 81% at a mean follow-up of 27 and 60 months, respectively) and 12 autologous venous endothelial cell-seeded cryopreserved homologous veins (83.3% at a mean follow-up of 8.5 months).

CONCLUSIONS

The goal of an alternative conduit with patency and attributes that match those of autografts remains elusive. Autologous endothelial cell-seeded synthetic grafts have demonstrated promising results but require further investigation.

Clinical expert consensus document on the use of percutaneous left ventricular assist support devices during complex high-risk indicated PCI: Italian Society of Interventional Cardiology Working Group Endorsed by Spanish and Portuguese Interventional Cardiology Societies

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is establishing as the last remaining revascularization option in an increasing number of patients affected by complex coronary artery disease not suitable for surgery. Over the past decade, percutaneous left ventricular assist device (pLVAD) has increasingly replaced intra-aortic balloon pump to provide hemodynamic support during such non-emergent complex high-risk indicated procedures (CHIP) averting the risk of circulatory collapse and of adverse events in long lasting and/or complicated procedures. This review article aims to report the key factors to define CHIP, to summarize the available pLVAD which have CE mark for temporary mechanical LV support and to discuss the rationale of their use in this subset of patients. Based on the expertise of the Italian Society of Interventional Cardiology working group, with the endorsement from Spanish and Portuguese Society of Interventional Cardiology working groups, it will provide several practical suggestions in regards to the use of pLVAD in different clinical CHIP scenarios.

Robustness of Percutaneously Completed Coronary Revascularization in Stable Coronary Artery Disease: Obstructive Versus Occlusive Lesions

Our study sought to assess long-term outcomes of percutaneously completed coronary revascularization (CCR) in patients with obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) comprising chronic total occlusions (CTOs). Between 2010 and 2014, percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) of the CTOs were attempted in 213 patients: the CCR was achieved in 125 patients (group 1), while the PCI failed in 88 patients (group 2). They were matched against 252 patients (group 3) with the CCR obtained by the non-CTO PCIs. In the 5-year follow-up, more adverse cardiovascular (CV) events occurred in group 2 (29.5% vs 4.8% in group 1 vs 3.5% in group 3, P = .0001), mainly due to recurrent severe symptoms and additional revascularization of the CTOs; CV mortality did not seem to be significantly affected. Survival curves for the successful CTO and non-CTO PCIs appeared indistinguishable. Stent thromboses were infrequent in the CCR groups. In conclusion, long-term outcomes of the patients with the obstructive CAD containing the CTOs showed a favorable outcome if the CCR had been achieved percutaneously.

Definitions and clinical impact of revascularization completeness

The completeness of revascularization in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD) remains an unanswered question. Despite 20 years of investigation there are still major doubts in this topic, reaching as far as to the lack of a standardized definition. The employment of different definition and the multiplicity of confounding variables that in general favor patients who receive a complete revascularization (CR) are the reason of difficult comparisons between studies. The complexity of coronary anatomy diseases and the clinical features play important role in the revascularization strategy. However, the clinical impact of CR is different in particular clinical subsets, such as diabetes, ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, cardiogenic shock, ischemic heart failure. The CR is a desirable objective, but it is not mandatory and sometimes a reasonable incomplete revascularization (IR) offers comparable results. Clinical variables, including patient's age, life expectancy, the severity of symptoms at presentation, comorbidities (particularly diabetes mellitus), left ventricular function and myocardial viability, as well as coronary anatomy should be considered in the decision making whether to attempt CR or to follow a reasonable IR strategy, for both percutaneous coronary intervention and coronary artery bypass graft surgery, in patients with multivessel CAD.

Is it time to change how we think about incomplete coronary revascularization?

The optimal degree of revascularization for patients with chronic multivessel coronary artery disease remains an unsolved issue. Intuitively, complete revascularization decreases cardiovascular events and improves outcomes compared to incomplete procedures, but in recent years the concept of incomplete revascularization moved from a sub-optimal or a defective treatment towards the most appropriate revascularization technique in some categories of patients. A reasonable level of incomplete anatomic revascularization has been shown to be safe and achievable with both percutaneous (PCI) and surgical procedures (CABG), despite with different long-term outcomes. What are the mechanisms underlying the clinical benefits of an incomplete revascularization and what are the factors explaining the discrepancy in the long-term clinical outcomes between the two modes of revascularization PCI and CABG? The biological consequences of coronary reperfusion might provide valuable hints in this context and at the same time cast new light on the way we think about incomplete revascularization.

Left main PCI: An observational analysis from large single-centre experience

BACKGROUND

Although trials have shown efficacy of unprotected left main percutaneous coronary intervention (uLMPCI), data from Indian subcontinent are lacking. Hence, we planned this observational analysis of single-center uLMPCI data.

OBJECTIVES

To study long-term outcome after uLMPCI and identify predictors of adverse outcome.

METHODS

Case details of 62 consecutive patients of uLMPCI between 2006 and 2013 were retrieved from a computerized database wherein detailed records were maintained.

RESULTS

Mean follow-up duration was 669.8±404.2 days. Procedural success rate was 98.4%. Primary endpoint was composite of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), which included cardiac death (CD), cerebrovascular accident (CVA), myocardial infarction (MI), and need for repeat intervention (RI) at three years. MACCE occurred in 13 (20.9%) patients. Cardiac death (CD), (including possible stent thrombosis), RI, and CVA occurred in 6 (9.7%), 5 (8%), and 2 (3.2%) patients, respectively. Overall three-year MACCE-free survival rate was 76.7%. Event-free survival rate was similar among patients who underwent uLMPCI alone and patients who underwent uLMPCI along with additional one-vessel PCI [(88.9% vs 81.8%), p=0.492], while survival rate was lower in patients who underwent uLMPCI along with PCI of additional two or more vessels (40%, p=0.036). Patients with syntax score ≤32 had higher event-free survival rate than those with syntax score >32 [(87.1% vs 33.3%), p=0.001]. Syntax score >32 was the only independent predictor of adverse outcome.

CONCLUSION

uLMPCI is safe and effective alternative to CABG for LM alone and LM plus single-vessel disease with syntax score ≤32.

Less invasive coronary artery revascularization with a minimized extracorporeal circulation system: preliminary results of a comparative study with off-pump-procedures

BACKGROUND

Coronary-artery-bypass-grafting (CABG) with conventional extracorporeal circulation (CECC) is associated with adverse effects such as systemic inflammatory response leading to a decrease in systemic vascular resistance and hemodynamic instability. Modern "less invasive" procedures have been established recently which potentially avoid negative side effects of CECC. The aim of this study was to compare perioperative outcome following coronary revascularization using either a minimized extracorporeal circuit (Mini-HLM) or off-pump technique (OPCAB).

METHODS

In this prospective ethics-approved trial, 120 patients referred for CABG were randomly assigned either to off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) or to a Mini-HLM procedure. Patient demographics, preoperative characteristics and extensive postoperative outcome were analyzed for both groups. Hemodynamic data were measured at seven time points perioperatively.

RESULTS

Operation-time was longer in the Mini-HLM group (178,3 ± 32,9 min) compared to OPCAB (133,2 ± 32,7 min, p < 0,001) with higher graft numbers in Mini-HLM group (3,11 ± 0,7 vs. 1,78 ± 0,7, p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in perioperative hemodynamic criteria, catecholaminergic support, hospital (p = 0,534) and intensive care unit stay (p = 0,880), ventilation time (p = 0,113), blood loss (p = 0,570), transfusion requirements, postoperative atrial fibrillation rate (p = 0,706) and neurocognitive disturbance (p = 0,297). No deaths and no myocardial infarctions were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Coronary revascularisation with Mini-HLM represents a suitable and "less invasive" procedure which achieves all benefits of OPCAB but may allow for less demanding revascularisation than OPCAB in special patients with complex coronary anatomy and can therefore be used both on a routine basis and in all "conversion" cases of OPCAB.

Incomplete revascularization in the drug eluting stent era permits meaningful long-term (12-78 months) outcomes in patients ≥ 75 years with acute coronary syndrome

Objective

To compare long-term prognosis between complete revascularization (CR) and incomplete revascularization (IR) in elderly patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods

We prospectively enrolled patients ≥ 75 years with ACS and multi-lesion disease between January 2005 and December 2010 at our center (Institute of Geriatric Cardiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital). Baseline clinical characteristics, PCI parameters and long-term (12 to 78 months) outcomes including main adverse cardiac and cerebral events (MACCE) were compared between CR and IR groups. We used the Kaplan-Meier curve to describe the survival rates, and variables reported to be associated with prognosis were included in Cox regression.

Results

Of the 502 patients, 230 patients obtained CR, and the other 272 patients underwent IR. Higher SYNTAX score was an independent predictor of IR [Odds ratio (OR): 1.141, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.066–1.221, P = 0.000]. A total of 429 patients (85.5%) were followed with a duration ranging from 12 months to 78 months. There were no significant differences in cumulative survival rates and event free survival rates between the two groups, even for patients with multi-vessel disease. Older age (OR: 1.079, 95% CI: 1.007–1.157, P = 0.032), prior myocardial infarction (OR: 1.440, 95% CI: 1.268–2.723, P = 0.001) and hypertension (OR: 1. 653, 95% CI: 1.010-2.734, P = 0.050) were significant independent predictors of long-term MACCE.

Conclusions

Given that both clinical and coronary lesion characteristics are much more complex in patients ≥75 years with ACS and multi-lesion disease, IR may be an option allowing low risk hospital results and meaningful long-term (12 to 78 months) outcomes.

Effect of complete revascularization on 10-year survival of patients with stable multivessel coronary artery disease: MASS II trial

BACKGROUND

The importance of complete revascularization remains unclear and contradictory. This current investigation compares the effect of complete revascularization on 10-year survival of patients with stable multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD) who were randomly assigned to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG).

METHODS AND RESULTS

This is a post hoc analysis of the Second Medicine, Angioplasty, or Surgery Study (MASS II), which is a randomized trial comparing treatments in patients with stable multivessel CAD, and preserved systolic ventricular function. We analyzed patients who underwent surgery (CABG) or stent angioplasty (PCI). The survival free of overall mortality of patients who underwent complete (CR) or incomplete revascularization (IR) was compared. Of the 408 patients randomly assigned to mechanical revascularization, 390 patients (95.6%) underwent the assigned treatment; complete revascularization was achieved in 224 patients (57.4%), 63.8% of those in the CABG group and 36.2% in the PCI group (P=0.001). The IR group had more prior myocardial infarction than the CR group (56.2% × 39.2%, P=0.01). During a 10-year follow-up, the survival free of cardiovascular mortality was significantly different among patients in the 2 groups (CR, 90.6% versus IR, 84.4%; P=0.04). This was mainly driven by an increased cardiovascular specific mortality in individuals with incomplete revascularization submitted to PCI (P=0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that in 10-year follow-up, CR compared with IR was associated with reduced cardiovascular mortality, especially due to a higher increase in cardiovascular-specific mortality in individuals submitted to PCI.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION

URL: http://www.controlled-trials.com.

REGISTRATION NUMBER

ISRCTN66068876.

Impact of incomplete surgical revascularization on survival

Complete revascularization is considered superior to incomplete revascularization (IR), with better long-term survival and a lower rate of reintervention. However, it has yet to be established whether this difference is due directly to IR as a surgical strategy or whether this approach is merely a marker of more severe coronary disease and more rapid progression. We believe that IR is a prognostic marker for a more complex coronary pathology, and adverse effects are probably due to the preoperative condition of the patient. In fact, although IR may negatively affect long-term outcomes, it may be, when wisely chosen, the ideal treatment strategy in selected high-risk patients. IR can derive from a surgical strategy of target vessel revascularization, where the impact of surgery is minimized to reduce perioperative mortality and morbidity, aiming to achieve the best feasible safe revascularization.

Role of Stress Myocardial Scintigraphy in the Evaluation of Incompletely Revascularized Post-PCI Patients

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is actually the most used method of revascularization. Although complete revascularization remains a desirable goal, it may not be possible or not easy to plan in many patients. Thus, incomplete revascularization might be a preferred treatment strategy in selected patient categories. Stress myocardial scintigraphy, because of its high diagnostic accuracy and prognostic value and its ability to assess location and extent of myocardial ischemia regardless of symptoms as well as to evaluate patients who are unable to exercise or who have uninterpretable electrocardiogram, is of paramount importance for clinical decision making in patients with multivessel disease and incomplete revascularization.

Early increase in myocardial perfusion after stem cell therapy in patients undergoing incomplete coronary artery bypass surgery

Incomplete revascularization is associated with worse long-term outcomes. Autologous bone marrow cells (BMC) have recently been tested in patients with severe coronary artery disease. We tested the hypothesis that intramyocardial injection of autologous BMC increases myocardial perfusion in patients undergoing incomplete coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Twenty-one patients (19 men), 59 ± 7 years old, with limiting angina and multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD), not amenable to complete CABG were enrolled. BMC were obtained prior to surgery, and the lymphomonocytic fraction separated by density gradient centrifugation. During surgery, 5 mL containing 2.1 ± 1.3 × 108 BMC (CD34+ = 0.8 ± 0.3%) were injected in the ischemic non-revascularized myocardium. Myocardial perfusion was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at baseline and 1 month after surgery. The increase in myocardial perfusion was compared between patients with <50% (group A, n = 11) with that of patients with >50% (group B, n = 10) of target vessels (stenosis ≥ 70%) successfully bypassed. Injected myocardial segments included the inferior (n = 12), anterior (n = 7), and lateral (n = 2) walls. The number of treated vessels (2.3 ± 0.8) was significantly smaller than the number of target vessels (4.2 ± 1.0; P < 0.0001). One month after surgery, cardiac MRI showed a similar reduction (%) in the ischemic score of patients in group A (72.5 ± 3.2), compared to patients in group B (78.1 ± 3.2; P = .80). Intramyocardial injection of autologous BMC may help increase myocardial perfusion in patients undergoing incomplete CABG, even in those with fewer target vessels successfully treated. This strategy may be an adjunctive therapy for patients suffering from a more advanced (diffuse) CAD not amenable for complete direct revascularization.

Patient management and care after primary percutaneous coronary intervention: reinforcing a continuum of care after primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Primary percutaneous coronary interventions (PPCIs) improve outcomes in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction and facilitate the hospitalization course. In most cases, the patient can be discharged within 3 to 5 days after the PPCI, provided that careful triage is applied. Bleeding--often associated with excessive antithrombotic drug dosing--is a major concern. Transfusion has been documented to be a strong and independent predictor of mortality; for this reason, recent guidelines recommend that bleeding be managed using a conservative strategy that limits transfusions and the discontinuation of antithrombotic drugs to major bleeding events and only when local hemostatic interventions are not effective. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention is often performed without previous assessment of renal function, and the amount of contrast medium should be kept to a minimum, because contrast-induced nephropathy occurs frequently and is associated with higher early and late mortality. The risk of major arrhythmias should also be addressed correctly. The prognostic implication of ventricular arrhythmias is extremely dependent on the timing of presentation: midterm mortality is much higher among subjects experiencing a new arrhythmic event after PPCI compared with patients with existing arrhythmias at PPCI or those without arrhythmias. The Zwolle risk score is useful for identifying subjects who may be safely discharged early. Secondary prevention starts at the end of PPCI. Hospital discharge and the planning of follow-up visits are critical for therapeutic recommendations. After an ST-elevation myocardial infarction, patients are at increased risk of recurrences, even when the PPCI is timely; a rehabilitation program and all measures that increase adherence to medications should be implemented, starting at discharge.

Management of multivessel coronary disease after ST-elevation myocardial infarction treated by primary coronary angioplasty

Primary percutaneous coronary intervention of the infarct-related artery is now considered the gold standard for patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction. However, a sizable portion of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction have concomitant multivessel disease, which raises important therapeutic and prognostic issues. Indeed, it is still unclear whether percutaneous coronary intervention of the culprit vessel alone is superior, equivalent, or inferior in terms of risk-benefit balance in comparison to a strategy of complete revascularization, with percutaneous coronary intervention of nonculprit vessels as well. The present systematic review provides an updated prospective on the rationale, background, and outcomes of culprit-only versus multivessel percutaneous revascularization in subjects undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Our findings clearly demonstrate that multivessel coronary disease significantly and adversely impacts on patient prognosis, yet a culprit-only revascularization strategy should be sought after in most cases, unless patient instability or symptoms/signs of residual myocardial ischemia support nonculprit vessel intervention.

Evaluation of revascularization subtypes in octogenarians undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting

BACKGROUND

Recent data suggest that octogenarians' long-term survival after complete coronary artery bypass graft revascularization is superior to incomplete revascularization. Discriminating between variable definitions of "complete" complicates interpretation of survival data. We aimed to clarify octogenarian long-term survival rates by stratifying revascularization subtypes.

METHODS AND RESULTS

From 1986 to 2007, 580 patients 80 to 94 years of age underwent coronary artery bypass graft. Functional complete revascularization was defined as at least 1 graft to all diseased coronary vessels with >50% stenosis. Traditional complete revascularization was defined as 1 graft to each major arterial system with at least 50% stenosis. Incomplete revascularization was defined as leaving diseased, ungrafted regions. Revascularization was functional in 279 (48%), traditional in 181 (31%), and incomplete in 120 (21%). Long-term survival was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Of 537 operative survivors, there were 402 late deaths. Cumulative long-term survival totaled 2890 patient-years. Late survival (Kaplan-Meier) was similar between functional (mean, 6.8 years) and traditional (6.7 years) groups (P=0.51), but diminished with incomplete (4.2 years) revascularization (P=0.007). Survival by group at 5 years was: 59+/-3% functional, 57+/-4% traditional, and 45+/-5% incomplete. Survival at 8 years was: 40+/-3% functional, 37+/-4% traditional, and 26+/-5% incomplete. To minimize selection bias in patients with limited life expectancy, Kaplan-Meier analysis was repeated including only patients with survival >12 months. Survival was again impaired with incomplete revascularization (P=0.04), and there was no difference between functional and traditional complete revascularization (P=0.73).

CONCLUSIONS

Bypassing all diseased arterial vessels after revascularization does not afford significant long-term survival advantage compared to a traditional approach. Incomplete revascularization, related to more extensive disease, is associated with an 18% decline in survival. These data suggest that it is important to avoid incomplete revascularization in octogenarians, but the supplementary endeavor required to perform functional complete revascularization does not improve survival.

Percutaneous coronary stenting in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis

AIMS

There is uncertainty on the clinical outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with left ventricular dysfunction (LVD). We thus performed a systematic review of studies reporting on PCI in LVD.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Pertinent studies were searched in PubMed, and included if reporting on >/=30 patients, with ejection fraction < 50%, and prevalently (>60%) treated with stents. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) at the longest follow-up. Outcomes were pooled with random-effect methods (95% confidence intervals). We retrieved 11 studies including 1,284 patients with ejection fraction <50% (specifically <40% in 1,033 and <30% in 211). All studies but one reported on bare-metal stenting only. In-hospital MACE occurred in 5% (3-6), with death in 2% (1-3), myocardial infarction in 3% (2-4), and repeat revascularisation in 1% (0-2). After a median of 18 months, MACE occurred in 33% (30-36), with death in 11% (9-13), myocardial infarction in 7% (6-9), and repeat revascularisation in 15% (13-18). Meta-regression suggested the beneficial impact of drug-eluting stents on MACE (p=0.030).

CONCLUSIONS

Currently available data support the adoption of percutaneous revascularisation in carefully selected patients with LVD. While event attrition remains substantial at long-term follow-up, drug-eluting stents hold the promise of significantly improving event-free and overall survival.

Importance of complete revascularization in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with percutaneous coronary intervention

BACKGROUND

The role of incomplete revascularization (ICR) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is controversial. We evaluated the impact of ICR on short- and long-term outcome in patients with AMI and multivessel disease (MVD) treated with percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) during index hospital stay.

METHODS

Single-center observational study covered 798 patients with MVD selected from 1486 consecutive patients with AMI treated with PCI. At discharge, 605 (75.8%) of the patients still had at least 1 diseased artery (ICR group); in 193, complete revascularization (CR) has been achieved (CR group). Any-cause mortality rate and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) during hospitalization, within a follow-up period of 30 days and 29.7 months, were compared between both groups in the whole population and within the high-risk subgroups. Propensity model to predict the probability of CR according to 16 variables was used.

RESULTS

Mortality and MACE rates were significantly higher in ICR group than among completely revascularized subjects during short- and long-term observation (remote mortality 18.5% vs 7.2%, MACE 53.1% vs 24.3%, both P < .001). Higher mortality rate was also observed within the subgroups with diabetes (25.2% vs 4.8%), renal dysfunction (44.1% vs 13.8%), and lowered ejection fraction (26.5% vs 10.5%, all P < .05). Propensity-adjusted multivariate analysis showed that ICR was a significant and strong predictor of remote death (propensity-adjusted hazard ratio 2.01, 95% CI 1.71-2.31, P = .02) and MACE (hazard ratio 2.08, 95% CI 1.90-2.26, P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Incomplete revascularization is a strong and independent risk factor of death and MACE in patients with AMI treated with PCI.