Coronary angioplasty of multiple vessels: short-term outcome and long-term results

Surgical versus percutaneous revascularization in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease

New-generation stents have been continually developed in order to improve the safety and efficacy of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Several randomized clinical trials have been conducted over the last two decades to compare the outcomes of PCI with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), which has been the time-tested treatment of multivessel coronary artery disease. The Synergy between PCI with Taxus and Cardiac Surgery (SYNTAX) trial is one of the most recent and largest randomized controlled trials comparing PCI using the paclitaxel-eluting first-generation stent with CABG and was uniquely formulated to represent "real world" daily practice. The final 5-year main results of this trial and its various prespecified subgroups have been published in the past year. These results will form the basis of the new guidelines that will be published in the near future. This review is a compilation of the results of the SYNTAX trial and comparisons with other contemporary trials, meta-analyses, and retrospective studies of large registries and how these results help cardiac surgeons and cardiologists in judicious decision-making for their patients with multivessel coronary artery disease requiring revascularization.

Relationship of extent of revascularization with angina at one year in the Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation (BARI)

OBJECTIVES

To determine the relative degree of revascularization obtained with bypass surgery versus angioplasty in a randomized trial of patients with multivessel disease requiring revascularization (Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation [BARI]), one-year catheterization was performed in 15% of patients.

BACKGROUND

Complete revascularization has been correlated with improved outcome after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) but not with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Relative degrees of revascularization after PTCA and surgery have not been previously compared and correlated with symptoms.

METHODS

Consecutive patients at four BARI centers consented to recatheterization one year after revascularization. Myocardial jeopardy index (MJI), the percentage of myocardium jeopardized by > or =50% stenoses, was compared and correlated with angina status.

RESULTS

Angiography was completed in 270 of 362 consecutive patients (75%) after initial CABG (n = 135) or PTCA (n = 135). Coronary artery bypass grafting patients had 3+/-0.9 distal anastomoses and PTCA patients had 2.4+/-1.1 lesions attempted at initial revascularization. At one year, 20.5% of CABG patients had > or =1 totally occluded graft and 86.9% of vein graft, and 91.6% of internal mammary artery distal anastomotic sites had <50% stenosis. One year jeopardy index in surgery patients was 14.1+/-11%, 46.6+/-20.3% improved from baseline. Initial PTCA was successful in 86.9% of lesions and repeat revascularization was performed in 48.4% of PTCA patients by one year. Myocardial jeopardy index one year after PTCA was 25.5+/-22.8%, an improvement of 33.8+/-26.1% (p<0.01 for greater improvement with CABG than PTCA). At one year, 29.6% of PTCA patients had angina versus 11.9% of surgery patients, p = 0.004. One-year myocardial jeopardy was predictive of angina (odds ratio 1.28 for the presence of angina per every 10% increment in myocardial jeopardy, p = 0.002). Randomization to PTCA rather than CABG also predicted angina (odds ratio 2.19, p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

In this one-year angiographic substudy of BARI, CABG provided more complete revascularization than PTCA, and CABG likewise improved angina to a greater extent than PTCA.

Procedural results and late clinical outcomes following multivessel coronary stenting

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate in-hospital and long-term clinical outcomes in a large consecutive series of patients undergoing percutaneous multivessel stent intervention.

BACKGROUND

High restenosis and recurrent angina rates have limited the clinical outcomes of multivessel coronary angioplasty before stents were available to improve angioplasty results.

METHODS

We evaluated in-hospital and long-term clinical outcomes (death, Q-wave myocardial infarction [MI], and repeat revascularization rates at one year) in 398 consecutive patients treated with coronary stents in two (94% of patients) or three native arteries, compared to 1,941 patients undergoing stenting procedure in a single coronary artery between January 1, 1994 and August 29, 1997.

RESULTS

Overall procedural success was obtained in 96% of patients with two- or three-vessel stenting and in 970% of patients with single-vessel stent intervention (p = 0.36). Procedural complications were also similar (3.8% for multivessel versus 2.9% for single vessel, p = 0.14). During follow up, target lesion revascularization was 15% in multivessel and 16% in single-vessel interventions (p = 0.38), and repeat revascularization (calculated per treated patient) was also similar for both groups (20% vs. 21%, p = 0.73). There was no difference in death (1.4% vs. 0.7%, p = 0.26), and Q-wave MI (1.2% vs. 0%, p = 0.02) was lower following multivessel interventions. Overall cardiac event-free survival was similar for both groups (p = 0.52).

CONCLUSIONS

Unlike previous conventional angioplasty experiences, multivessel stenting has (1) similar in-hospital procedural success and major complication rates and (2) similar long-term (one year) clinical outcomes compared with single-vessel stenting. Thus, stents may be a viable therapeutic strategy in carefully selected patients with multivessel coronary disease.

Clinical outcome 10 years after attempted percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in 856 patients

OBJECTIVES

This study reports the 10-year outcome of 856 consecutive patients who underwent attempted coronary angioplasty at the Thoraxcenter during the years 1980 to 1985.

BACKGROUND

Coronary balloon angioplasty was first performed in 1977, and this procedure was introduced into clinical practice at the Thoraxcenter in 1980. Although advances have been made, extending our knowledge of the long-term outcome in terms of survival and major cardiac events remains of interest and a valuable guide in the treatment of patients with coronary artery disease.

METHODS

Details of survival, cardiac events, symptoms and medication were retrospectively obtained from the Dutch civil registry, medical records or by letter or telephone or from the patient's physician and entered into a dedicated data base. Patient survival curves were constructed, and factors influencing survival and cardiac events were identified.

RESULTS

The procedural clinical success rate was 82%. Follow-up information was obtained in 837 patients (97.8%). Six hundred forty-one patients (77%) were alive, of whom 334 (53%) were symptom free, and 254 (40%) were taking no antianginal medication. The overall 5- and 10-year survival rates were 90% (95% confidence interval [CI] 87.6% to 92.4%) and 78% (95% CI 75.0% to 81.0%), respectively, and the respective freedom from significant cardiac events (death, myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass surgery and repeat angioplasty) was 57% (95% CI 53.4% to 60.6%) and 36% (95% CI 32.4% to 39.6%). Factors that were found to adversely influence 10-year survival were age > or = 60 years (> or = 60 years [67%], 50 to 59 years [82%], < 50 years [88%]), multivessel disease (multivessel disease [69%], single-vessel disease [82%]), impaired left ventricular function (ejection fraction < 50% [57%], > or = 50% [80%]) and a history of previous myocardial infarction (previous myocardial infarction [72%], no previous infarction [83%]). These factors were also found to be independent predictors of death during the follow-up period by a multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis. Other factors tested, with no influence on survival, were gender, procedural success and stability of angina at the time of intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

The long-term prognosis of patients after coronary angioplasty is good, particularly in those <60 years old with single-vessel disease and normal left ventricular function. The majority of patients are likely to experience a further cardiac event in the 10 years after their first angioplasty procedure.

Three-year follow-up of the Argentine Randomized Trial of Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty Versus Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery in Multivessel Disease (ERACI)

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to report the 3-year follow-up results of the ERACI trial (Argentine Randomized Trial of Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty Versus Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery in Multivessel Disease).

BACKGROUND

Although coronary angioplasty has been used with increased frequency in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease, its value, compared with bypass graft surgery, has not been established. Thus, controlled, randomized clinical trials such as the ERACI are needed.

METHODS

In this trial 127 patients who had multivessel coronary artery disease and clinical indication of myocardial revascularization were randomized to undergo coronary angioplasty (n = 63) or bypass surgery (n = 64). The primary end point of this study was event-free survival (survival with freedom from myocardial infarction, angina and new revascularization procedures) for both groups of patients at 1, 3 and 5 years of follow-up.

RESULTS

Freedom from combined cardiac events (death, Q-wave myocardial infarction, angina and repeat revascularization procedures) was significantly greater for the bypass surgery group than the coronary angioplasty group (77% vs. 47%; p < 0.001). There were no differences in overall (4.7% vs. 9.5%; p = 0.5) and cardiac (4.7% vs. 4.7%; p = 1) mortality or in the frequency of myocardial infarction (7.8% vs. 7.8%; p = 0.8) between the two groups. However, patients who had bypass surgery were more frequently free of angina (79% vs. 57%; p < 0.001) and required fewer additional reinterventions (6.3% vs. 37%; p < 0.001) than patients who had coronary angioplasty.

CONCLUSIONS

1) Freedom from combined cardiac events at 3-year follow-up was greater in patients who had bypass surgery than in those who had coronary angioplasty. 2) The coronary angioplasty group had a higher incidence of recurrence of angina and the need for repeat revascularization procedures. 3) Cumulative cost at 3-year follow-up was greater for the bypass surgery group than for the coronary angioplasty group.

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty as a first revascularization procedure in single-, double- and triple-vessel coronary artery disease

OBJECTIVES

We sought to compare in-hospital and long-term outcome after angioplasty in patients with single-, double- and triple-vessel disease.

BACKGROUND

Coronary angioplasty is increasingly used in patients with multivessel disease.

METHODS

The source of data was the clinical data base at Emory University. Patients who had previous coronary revascularization or who underwent angioplasty in the setting of acute myocardial infarction were excluded.

RESULTS

Of 10,783 patients, 71% had one-vessel, 24% two-vessel and 5% three-vessel disease. Age, male gender, diabetes, hypertension, history of previous myocardial infarction, Canadian Cardiovascular Society class III or IV angina and congestive failure all increased with severity of disease. Complete revascularization was achieved in most patients with one-vessel disease, in a minority with two-vessel disease and rarely in those with three-vessel disease. Emergency coronary bypass surgery increased from 1.7% with one-vessel disease to 3.2% with three-vessel disease. Q wave myocardial infarctions could not be shown to vary significantly with severity of disease. The mortality rate increased from 0.2% with one-vessel disease to 1.2% with three-vessel disease. The number of vessels diseased was a multivariate correlate of in-hospital and long-term mortality. The 1-, 5- and 10-year survival was 0.99, 0.93 and 0.86 for one-vessel disease and 0.97, 0.89 and 0.76 for two-vessel disease, respectively. The 1-, 5- and 9-year survival was 0.95, 0.85 and 0.70 in three-vessel disease, respectively. Freedom from myocardial infarction, coronary bypass surgery and repeat angioplasty was also lower with more severe disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients have increasing in-hospital and long-term mortality as the severity of disease increases. There is also an increased incidence of myocardial infarction and revascularization procedures with more severe disease.

A randomized trial comparing coronary angioplasty with coronary bypass surgery. Emory Angioplasty versus Surgery Trial (EAST)

BACKGROUND

The clinical benefit of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) as compared with coronary-artery bypass grafting (CABG) for patients with multivessel coronary artery disease has not been established. To determine the outcomes of these treatments in patients referred for the first time for coronary revascularization, we conducted a three-year prospective, randomized trial comparing the two procedures.

METHODS

Revascularization was performed by accepted methods. Follow-up clinical information was collected every six months, and coronary arteriography and thallium stress scanning were performed at one and three years. The primary end point was a composite of death, Q-wave myocardial infarction, and a large ischemic defect identified on thallium scanning at three years. Secondary end points included clinical and angiographic status and the need for additional revascularization procedures. Data were analyzed according to the intention-to-treat principle.

RESULTS

Of the 5118 patients screened for the trial, 842 (16.5 percent) were eligible for enrollment, and 392 (7.7 percent) agreed to participate. A total of 194 patients were randomly assigned to the CABG group, and 198 to the PTCA group. The primary end point occurred in 27.3 percent of the CABG group and 28.8 percent of the PTCA group (P = 0.81). Death occurred in 6.2 percent of the CABG group and 7.1 percent of the PTCA group (P = 0.73 by log-rank test). At three years, the proportions of patients in the CABG group who required repeated bypass surgery (1 percent) or angioplasty (13 percent) were significantly lower than the proportions in the PTCA group (22 and 41 percent, respectively; P < 0.001). Angiographic studies at three years showed a greater degree of revascularization in the CABG group. Angina was more frequent in the PTCA group (20 percent) than in the CABG group (12 percent).

CONCLUSIONS

We found that CABG and PTCA did not differ significantly with respect to the occurrence of the composite primary end point. Consequently, the selection of one procedure over the other should be guided by patients' preferences regarding the quality of life and the possible need for subsequent procedures.

"Rescue" directional coronary atherectomy after unsuccessful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the outcome in patients who underwent directional coronary atherectomy after unsuccessful balloon angioplasty.

DESIGN

We conducted a retrospective computerized data bank search of patients in whom unsuccessful balloon angioplasty and subsequent "rescue" coronary atherectomy had been performed at the Mayo Clinic between Nov. 1, 1988, and May 1, 1993.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Among the 336 patients who underwent directional coronary atherectomy during the study period, in 16 the procedure was a rescue attempt. The mean age of these 16 study patients was 67 years. The following vessels were treated: left anterior descending coronary artery, six patients; right coronary artery, six; circumflex artery, two; and saphenous vein graft, two. Coronary angioplasty had failed because of dissection in eight patients, elastic recoil without evident dissection in seven, and recurrent thrombus without evident dissection in one.

RESULTS

After coronary atherectomy, the mean stenosis was 41% (in comparison with 90% before coronary angioplasty and 71% after coronary angioplasty). Both angiographic success (20% or more decrease in stenosis after tissue removal and a final stenosis of less than 50%) and clinical success (angiographic success without in-hospital Q-wave myocardial infarction, bypass operation, or death) were achieved in 10 patients. Adventitia was obtained in two patients, both of whom underwent atherectomy for elastic recoil. In six patients, a stenosis of more than 50% remained after atherectomy; one patient suffered a Q-wave myocardial infarction, and one underwent emergent coronary artery bypass grafting. No deaths occurred in the study group. During follow-up (mean, 22 +/- 19 months), one patient suffered a non-Q-wave myocardial infarction, and two others underwent elective coronary artery bypass grafting. Eleven patients were asymptomatic at last contact. Repeated angiography, done in five patients a mean of 3.4 +/- 3.1 months after the procedure, showed restenosis in three.

CONCLUSION

Rescue directional coronary atherectomy seems to be safe and effective in achieving angiographic and clinical successes in carefully selected patients after unsuccessful coronary angioplasty.

Clinical and angiographic follow-up after coronary angioplasty in patients with two-vessel disease: influence of completeness and adequacy of revascularization on long-term outcome

To assess the influence of the degree of revascularization on long-term results with angioplasty in multivessel disease, 151 consecutive patients with double-vessel disease and successful angioplasty in at least one vessel were prospectively followed up for a mean of 14 months (range 6 to 30 months) with clinical evaluation, an exercise stress test, and routine angiography. Patients were divided into three groups according to completeness and adequacy of revascularization: group 1--complete revascularization (no residual stenosis > or = 70%, 51 patients); group 2--incomplete but functionally adequate revascularization (residual stenosis > or = 70% in a vessel < 2 mm in diameter or supplying akinetic or dyskinetic segments of the left ventricle, 56 patients); group 3--incomplete and inadequate revascularization (residual stenosis > or = 70% in a vessel > or = 2 mm in diameter supplying normal or hypokinetic segments, 45 patients). There were no late deaths; one myocardial infarction occurred in group 1 patients, three in group 2, and two in group 3 patients (p = NS). Recurrence of angina was lower in group 1 (13 of 51 or 26%) and group 2 (16 of 56 or 28%) compared with group 3 (23 of 45 or 51%, p < 0.01). A positive stress test for ischemia was present in 20 patients (39%) of group 1, in 30 (54%) of group 2, and in 26 patients (58%) of group 3.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Predictive factors of restenosis after multivessel percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

To evaluate the rate and predictive factors of restenosis after multivessel percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), 122 consecutive patients with multivessel PTCA performed in the same setting were included in a prospective study. Systematic angiographic control at 6 months was performed in 112 patients (92%). Restenosis (increase > 20% and stenosis > 50%) was found in 62 patients (55%) and 82 of 254 segments (32%) were dilated. Statistical analysis identified the number of successfully dilated segments as the only predictor of restenosis by patient (2.4 +/- 0.7 vs 2.0 +/- 0.7; p < 0.03), and the greater degree of residual stenosis as the only predictor of restenosis by lesion (30 +/- 14% vs 23 +/- 12%; p < 0.005). Twenty-two of 62 restenosed patients (35%) were asymptomatic (group 1). Baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics of these patients were similar to those with symptomatic restenosis (n = 40; group 2) and without restenosis (n = 50; group 3). Repeat revascularization for restenosis was used only in symptomatic patients (re-PTCA in 36; bypass surgery in 4). After a mean follow-up of 75 +/- 24 months, clinical status, and rates of cardiac death and myocardial infarction were similar in the 3 groups. Medical care was similar in groups 1 and 3, and higher in group 2. However, the rate of repeat revascularization for progression of disease was similar in the 3 groups (29%). In conclusion, restenosis is a frequent event after multivessel PTCA and is strongly related to the number of successfully dilated segments.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Argentine randomized trial of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty versus coronary artery bypass surgery in multivessel disease (ERACI): in-hospital results and 1-year follow-up. ERACI Group

OBJECTIVES

This study was designed to compare freedom from combined cardiac events (death, angina, myocardial infarction) at 1-, 3- and 5-year follow-up in patients with multivessel disease randomized to either percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty or coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty has been an effective approach in patients with coronary artery disease, but its role in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease is still controversial.

METHODS

One-hundred twenty-seven patients with multivessel disease and lesions suitable for either form of therapy were randomized to either coronary artery bypass grafting (n = 64) or coronary angioplasty (n = 63). In this study we report the immediate results and freedom from combined cardiac events at 1-year follow-up.

RESULTS

Demographic, clinical and angiographic characteristics were similar in both groups. There were no differences in in-hospital deaths, frequency of periprocedure myocardial infarction or need for emergency revascularization procedures between the two groups. At 1-year follow-up, there were no differences in mortality or in the incidence of myocardial infarction between the groups. However, patients treated with coronary artery bypass grafting were more frequently free of angina, reinterventions and combined cardiac events than were patients treated with coronary angioplasty (83.5% vs. 63.7%, p < 0.005). In-hospital cost and cumulative cost at 1-year follow-up were greater for the coronary artery bypass grafting than for the coronary angioplasty group.

CONCLUSIONS

No significant differences were found in major in-hospital complications between patients treated with coronary artery bypass grafting or coronary angioplasty. Although at 1-year follow-up there were no differences in survival and freedom from myocardial infarction, patients in the coronary artery bypass grafting group were more frequently free from angina, reinterventions and combined events than were patients in the coronary angioplasty group.

Ten-year completed follow-up of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty: the early Zurich experience

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this communication was to report the long-term follow-up of all the patients treated by Dr. Andreas Gruentzig in Zurich, Switzerland.

BACKGROUND

The first patients to undergo percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty had the procedure performed by Andreas Gruentzig in Zurich between 1977 and 1980. The method of angioplasty has changed little, and the patients undergoing these first procedures were similar to many patients undergoing angioplasty today; therefore, their long-term outcome is of significant interest.

METHODS

All 169 patients with attempted angioplasty during Gruentzig's years in Zurich have now been completely followed up at 10 years. All surviving patients were contacted directly or by telephone interview, and the occurrence of each cardiac procedure and coronary event was analyzed.

RESULTS

One hundred thirty-three of the 169 patients underwent successful angioplasty. Ten-year follow-up of this group revealed an overall survival rate of 89.5%. The survival rate was 95% among patients with single-vessel disease and 81% among those with multivessel disease. Patients undergoing unsuccessful dilation and those with failed angioplasty and subsequent bypass surgery had a similar 10-year survival rate. Angiographic restenosis was present in 31% at 6 months. Late restenosis between 6 months and 10 years occurred in eight patients; however, progression of disease in undilated segments occurred in 31 patients. In addition to a better survival rate, patients with single-vessel disease were less likely to have had bypass surgery and were more likely to be angina free at the 10-year follow-up than were patients with multivessel disease (79% vs. 67%).

CONCLUSIONS

This earliest angioplasty experience was also the first to demonstrate a difference in outcome between patients with single-vessel and multivessel disease treated with angioplasty. Although angioplasty is now performed in more complex patient subsets, the long-term outcome of these "classic" angioplasty patients should be applicable to similar patients treated today.

Five- to ten-year outcome after multivessel percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

The early and late outcome of patients who underwent multivessel percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in a 1-stage procedure are described, and the predictors for clinical event and new revascularization procedure are identified. Of 1,937 patients treated by PTCA between 1981 and 1986, 203 (10.4%) had multivessel PTCA in a 1-step procedure. A follow-up extending to 71 +/- 23 months was obtained in 195 patients (96%). Primary success was achieved in 91% of 494 attempted sites, and complete revascularization in 65% of 203 patients. There were no in-hospital deaths. Acute complications occurred in 13 patients (6.4%), including non-Q-wave (n = 8) and Q-wave (n = 5) infarction, and urgent coronary artery bypass surgery (n = 3). Before PTCA, 126 patients (62%) were in class III or IV of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society classification; at follow-up, 84% were angina-free or in class I. Death occurred in 14 patients and nonfatal myocardial infarction in 18. Angiographic restenosis was diagnosed in 37.2% of dilated lesions in 96 patients (60% of 159 restudied). A repeat revascularization procedure for restenosis or progression of disease, or both, was needed in 92 symptomatic patients (47%). The survival rate at 7 years without the need for surgery or PTCA was 53%, and cardiac survival without myocardial infarction was 85.5%. The only independent predictor of cardiac death was ejection fraction (p < 0.001). The rate of restenosis per patient was primarily determined by the number of segments dilated, whereas progression of disease was related to the number of nonsignificant coronary artery stenoses (< 50%) at baseline (p < 0.02).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Prophylactic versus standby cardiopulmonary support for high risk percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

OBJECTIVES

Data from a national registry of 23 centers using cardiopulmonary support (CPS) were analyzed to compare the risks and benefits of prophylactic CPS versus standby CPS for patients undergoing high risk coronary angioplasty.

BACKGROUND

Early data from the CPS registry documented a high angioplasty success rate as well as a high procedural morbidity rate. Because of this increased morbidity some high risk patients were placed on standby CPS instead of prophylactic CPS.

METHODS

Patients in the prophylactic CPS group had 18F or 20F venous and arterial cannulas inserted and cardiopulmonary bypass initiated. Patients in the standby CPS group were prepared for institution of cardiopulmonary bypass, but bypass was not actually initiated unless the patient sustained irreversible hemodynamic compromise.

RESULTS

There were 389 patients in the prophylactic CPS group and 180 in the standby CPS group. The groups were comparable with respect to most baseline characteristics, except that left ventricular ejection fraction was lower in the prophylactic CPS group. Thirteen of the 180 patients in the standby CPS group sustained irreversible hemodynamic compromise during the angioplasty procedure. Emergency institution of CPS was successfully initiated in 12 of these 13 patients in < 5 min. Procedural success was 88.7% for the prophylactic and 84.4% for the standby CPS group (p = NS). Major complications did not differ between groups. However, 42% of patients in the prophylactic CPS group sustained femoral access site complications or required blood transfusions, compared with only 11.7% of patients in the standby CPS group (p < 0.01). Among patients with an ejection fraction < or = 20%, procedural morbidity remained significantly higher in the prophylactic CPS group (41% vs. 9.4%, p < 0.01), but procedural mortality was higher in the standby group (4.8% vs. 18.8%, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients in the standby and prophylactic CPS groups had comparable success and major complication rates, but procedural morbidity was higher in the prophylactic group. When required, standby CPS established immediate hemodynamic support during most angioplasty complications. For most patients, standby CPS was preferable to prophylactic CPS during high risk coronary angioplasty. However, patients with extremely depressed left ventricular function (ejection fraction < 20%) may benefit from institution of prophylactic CPS.

Long-term efficacy of triple-vessel angioplasty in patients with severe three-vessel coronary artery disease

Between May 1982 and December 1988, a total of 103 patients underwent angioplasty of all three major coronary arteries at a single institution. Angiographic success was achieved in 334 of 352 vessels (95%) and in 441 of 460 lesions (96%). No patients required urgent bypass surgery, and none died during the procedure; six had non-Q wave infarctions. The mean length of follow-up time was 49 +/- 15 months (range 28 to 107 months). There have been 11 deaths, and one patient has undergone cardiac transplantation. Thirty-six patients had a clinical recurrence; 30 had repeat angioplasty and five had bypass surgery. Another nine patients eventually had bypass surgery after the clinical recurrence. At 48 months actuarial event-free rates are myocardial infarction, 98%; bypass surgery, 88%; and death, 89%. Of 86 current survivors, 58 are in functional class O to I, 21 are in class II, and seven are in class III.

Does the AHA/ACC task force grading system predict outcome in multivessel coronary angioplasty?

To assess the ACC/AHA task force grading system as a predictor of outcome in patients undergoing multivessel percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty we analyzed all failures (residual stenosis > 50%, Q-wave myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass grafting during hospitalization, or death) in 97 patients with 328 stenoses. There were 70 males and 27 females; 60 patients had stable angina, and 37 had unstable angina. The mean number of lesions dilated per patient was 3.4 (range 2-8). The mean preangioplasty percent luminal diameter narrowing was 80 +/- 14%. Thirty-eight stenoses were AHA/ACC classification type A, 192 type B, and 98 type C. One hundred twenty-eight lesions were located in the left anterior descending artery or its distribution, 89 in the left circumflex, 96 in the right coronary artery, and 15 in other vessels. Procedural success (< 50% residual diameter narrowing and no major ischemic complications) was achieved in 266 lesions (81.1%). Major ischemic complications (death, myocardial infarction, or emergency bypass surgery) occurred in 8 patients (8.2%) and in-hospital mortality was 2%. Analysis on a per stenosis basis demonstrated 84% success in type A, 89% in type B, and 64% in type C (p < 0.0001). When type B was divided into type B1 (1 type B characteristic) and type B2 (two or more type B characteristics) the success rate was 90% vs. 88% and the complication rate was 1% vs. 2%, respectively (p = n.s.). Logistic regression analysis showed that the best single predictor of failed angioplasty was total occlusion > 3 months, followed by total occlusion < 3 months and severely angulated (> 90 degrees) segment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Results of directional atherectomy of primary atheromatous and restenosis lesions in coronary arteries and saphenous vein grafts

Directional coronary atherectomy (DCA) was performed in 158 patients over a 2-year period at the Mayo Clinic. Primary atheromatous lesions were treated in 92 patients (group 1) and restenosis lesions were treated in 66 (group 2). Technical success (recovery of tissue and greater than or equal to 40% luminal enlargement with a residual stenosis of less than 50%) was achieved in 152 lesions (92%); clinical success (technical success and no in-hospital death, Q-wave myocardial infarction or coronary bypass surgery) was achieved in 143 patients (91%). Adjunctive balloon angioplasty was used in 41 patients. DCA was successful less often in group 1 than in group 2 (86 vs 97%; p = 0.038). A major complication occurred in 7% of patients; in-hospital death, Q-wave myocardial infarction and emergency coronary bypass surgery occurred in 3, 1 and 4% of patients, respectively. Major complications were more frequent in group 1 than in group 2 (10 vs 1; p = 0.02). During a follow-up period of 14 +/- 8 months, no difference between the groups was found in the incidence of late death (4%), Q-wave myocardial infarction (1%), recurrent severe angina (29%), bypass surgery (15%) or repeat interventional procedure of the same vascular segment (24%). Vein graft and restenosis lesions tended to have greater success and fewer complications. Angiographic restenosis (increase of greater than or equal to 30% in stenosis severity by visual assessment) occurred in 62% of patients and 58% of lesions with successful DCA, and was similar in the 2 groups; a tendency toward higher restenosis rates was seen in patients with vein graft DCA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Multivessel and single-vessel coronary angioplasty: a comparative study

To determine the efficacy of multivessel coronary angioplasty, 569 consecutive patients undergoing multivessel angioplasty were compared with 569 age- and sex-matched control patients undergoing single-vessel angioplasty. Baseline variables were similar except for number of diseased vessels and greater left ventricular dysfunction in the multivessel group. Major in-hospital complication rates (death, 0% vs 0.5%; Q wave myocardial infarction, 0.5% vs 0.9%; emergency bypass surgery, 2.5% vs 3.2%) were similar for multivessel and single-vessel angioplasty. The 5-year actuarial survival rate was 93% for multivessel angioplasty and 92% for single-vessel angioplasty. Event-free survival was similar except that patients undergoing multivessel angioplasty had an 8% higher incidence of repeat coronary angioplasty in the first year of follow-up (p = 0.03). Multivessel coronary angioplasty can be performed with results comparable to those of single-vessel angioplasty with the exception of a higher incidence of repeat angioplasty.

PTCA in patients with stable angina pectoris and multivessel disease: is incomplete revascularization acceptable?

Of all coronary angioplasties performed nowadays, 40% of the patients have multivessel disease. Angioplasty in patients with multivessel disease can be performed with a high immediate clinical success rate and an acceptable major complication rate. However, complete anatomic revascularization with coronary angioplasty is achieved in only 32 to 59%. This raises concern about the immediate and long-term outcome of patients in whom incomplete revascularization is achieved. This report reviews the literature and provides evidence that incomplete revascularization with coronary angioplasty is a safe and effective treatment in selected patients with multivessel disease, provided that adequate (functional) revascularization can be achieved. Adequate revascularization includes dilation of all significant lesions supplying large areas of viable myocardium.

High-risk coronary angioplasty with elective intra-aortic balloon pump support

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty was attempted with elective percutaneous intra-aortic balloon pump support in 21 patients (mean age 60 years, range 40-82; 18 males) with unstable angina (n = 2), multivessel coronary disease requiring multivessel angioplasty (n = 2), severe left ventricular dysfunction (ejection fraction 10-30%; n = 16) or ventricular fibrillation at diagnostic angiography (n = 1). Fourteen patients had 3-vessel disease (1 with vein grafts also diseased), 6 had 2-vessel disease and 1 had isolated left anterior descending disease. Twenty-five procedures were performed (one in 18 patients, two in 2 patients and three in one patient) on 42 lesions in 34 vessels/grafts. There was no angioplasty-related death. Successful dilatation was achieved in 38/42 lesions (90%) in 21/25 procedures (84%) without major complication. Three procedures were complicated: one by major coronary dissection without sequelae, one by haemodynamic deterioration due to distal occlusion and one by an unstable residual stenosis in the attempted vessel necessitating urgent bypass surgery. The only complication related to the intra-aortic balloon pump was local haematoma in 2 patients. In conclusion, elective intra-aortic balloon pump support may be safely used to stabilise high-risk patients undergoing coronary angioplasty, leading to a satisfactory primary success rate.

The degree of revascularization and outcome after multivessel coronary angioplasty

Incomplete revascularization is a common occurrence following angioplasty (PTCA) in patients with multivessel disease. To determine the short-term and long-term consequences of incomplete revascularization and the influence of the functional nature of the incomplete revascularization, 139 consecutive patients with multivessel disease were analyzed: 72 were completely revascularized and 67 had incomplete revascularization. The former patients had a lower incidence of prior myocardial infarction (MI) and prior bypass surgery (CABG). All patients had at least one lesion successfully dilated. In-hospital complications were insignificantly greater in incompletely revascularized patients compared with completely vascularized patients (mortality 3% versus 1%, MI 11% versus 4%, and emergency surgery 5% versus 0%). After 1 year of follow-up, incompletely revascularized patients had similar outcomes (mortality 6% versus 3%, MI 13% versus 7%, CABG 18% versus 15%, and repeat PTCA 19% versus 31%). The degree of incomplete revascularization was categorized as functionally adequate if all stenoses in bypassable vessels supporting viable myocardium were successfully dilated. Significantly fewer adverse events (death, MI, or CABG) occurred in the functionally adequate group than in the functionally inadequate group (27% versus 6%, p less than 0.04). This study demonstrates that incompletely revascularized patients have a favorable 1-year outcome and that patients with incomplete but functionally adequate revascularization have long-term results comparable with those of patients with complete revascularization. This study emphasizes the need to assess the functional significance of a stenosis when considering incomplete revascularization in a patient with multivessel disease.

Comparison of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty versus coronary artery bypass grafting for multivessel coronary artery disease

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are both widely performed in the treatment of multivessel coronary artery disease. Little data directly compare the outcomes of patients treated with these 2 techniques. We examined the characteristics and outcomes of 152 patients who underwent multivessel PTCA and 134 patients who had multivessel CABG. Patients who had prior PTCA or CABG were excluded. Baseline characteristics such as age, sex, and prior myocardial infarction were similar in the 2 groups. Ejection fraction was significantly lower in the CABG group (48 +/- 14%) versus the PTCA patients (53 +/- 15%) (p = 0.002). Narrowing distribution when analyzed by major vascular beds (left anterior descending, circumflex and right coronary arteries) as well as by individual arteries was not significantly different between the groups when left main stenosis was excluded. The surgical group received a larger number of bypasses per patient (3.9) when compared with narrowings dilated in the angioplasty group (3.7) (p less than 0.001). The left internal mammary artery was used in 75% of patients as one of the grafts. Angioplasty success was 95% by standard criteria. Over a mean follow-up of 110 weeks for PTCA patients and 134 weeks for CABG patients the occurrence of death was similar (10 and 14%, respectively) as was myocardial infarction (4 and 2%, respectively). However, all other cardiac events including subsequent cardiac catheterization (49 vs 10%), PTCA (30 vs 2%) and CABG (23 vs 2%) occurred significantly more often in the PTCA group (all p less than 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effectiveness of decremental diameter balloon catheters (tapered balloon)

Natural tapering of coronary arteries from larger proximal to smaller distal diameters often creates a dilemma for optimal balloon sizing during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). To demonstrate the need for new dilating catheters suitable for tapered coronary anatomy, 100 consecutive coronary arteries were measured by videodensitometry, 1 cm proximal and distal to the stenosis. In 23 arteries there was a 1 mm or greater taper and 19 arteries showed a 0.5 to 0.99 mm taper. Only 50 arteries showed a nearly uniform diameter at the site of the stenosis, and 8 arteries demonstrated reverse taper, i.e., distal was greater than proximal diameter. To avoid balloon size mismatch with significant tapering, decremental diameter balloon catheters were developed. Series I tapers from 3.5 to 3.0 mm and series II from 3.0 to 2.5 mm over a balloon length of 25 mm. Tapered balloons were used in 80 patients with 94 tapered coronary arteries. Before PTCA, proximal, stenotic and distal mean diameters measured 3.6, 1.1 and 2.6 mm, respectively; after PTCA, proximal, stenotic and distal diameters measured 3.6, 2.8 and 2.5 mm, respectively, thus maintaining the natural tapering after effective dilatation. Only 2 arteries (2.1%) showed significant dissection, with no abrupt occlusions, and none requiring bypass surgery. In summary, decremental diameter balloon catheters provide optimal dilation in tapered arterial segments with few complications and offer a new approach to balloon sizing.

Angioplasty of subacute and chronic total coronary occlusions: success, recurrence rate, and clinical follow-up

Angioplasty of single total, subacute, or chronic coronary occlusions was performed in 90 patients. It was successful in 54 occlusions (60%), in 77% of those less than 6 weeks old, and in 44% of those of greater than 6 weeks' duration (p less than 0.005). All procedures were uneventful. Control angiography was performed in 53 (98%) patients with successful angioplasty after an average interval of 97 +/- 53 days. Stenosis had recurred in 16 patients (30%). During a follow-up period of 36 +/- 13 months, three patients died, five patients underwent coronary bypass operation, and 10 had reangioplasty. Despite an additional late angiographic recurrence of stenosis in seven patients, 36 patients revealed angiographic long-term success. In the 46 nonoperated patients, angina pectoris and exercise stress tests were substantially improved. Thus angioplasty of subacute and chronic total coronary occlusions is an uneventful procedure, the success rate depending on the duration of the occlusions. Despite a high angiographic recurrence rate, the angiographic and clinical long-term results are favorable.

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty of the left coronary artery in patients with chronic occlusion of the right coronary artery: clinical and functional results

The safety and therapeutic benefits of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty of the left anterior descending coronary artery, the left circumflex coronary artery or both were assessed in 61 patients with chronic (greater than 3 months) occlusion of the right coronary artery. Recanalization of the right coronary artery was not performed before dilatation of left coronary artery lesions. All lesions could be dilated without an acute ischemic event in the catheterization laboratory. However, three patients underwent coronary artery bypass surgery within the first 8 days after coronary angioplasty. There were no in-hospital deaths. Of the remaining 58 patients, 51 (88%) had repeat angiography at a mean of 5.2 +/- 2.5 months. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence (n = 17) or absence (n = 34) of restenosis defined as greater than or equal to 50% diameter stenosis at the dilated site. Baseline characteristics were comparable. The mean value for angina functional class at follow-up was significantly better in the group without than in the group with restenosis (0.4 +/- 0.6 vs 2.1 +/- 1.1, respectively; p less than 0.001). Sixty-five percent of the patients without restenosis were asymptomatic at follow-up. Seventy-five percent of the predicted maximal physical capacity was reached by 76% of the patients without restenosis compared with 33% in the group with restenosis (p less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Clinical factors affecting the immediate outcome of PTCA in patients with unstable angina and poor candidates for surgery

Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) has been successfully applied in unstable angina to carefully selected patients. In this study, PTCA was performed in 277 consecutive patients suffering from unstable angina and for whom bypass surgery was not a valid alternative because either of inoperable conditions or of emergency, or because surgery was not the best option. All patients were admitted first to the intensive care unit where an attempt was made to control unstable angina under conventional medical therapy using at least iv nitroderivative, heparin, and calcium blockers. After a standardized preparation PTCA was performed either as an emergency procedure in medically refractory unstable angina (107 cases) or as an elective procedure in controlled situations after a 7 to 10 days symptom-free period. Three hundred fifty-three coronary vessels were attempted. Results of this group are compared with those of a control group made of 670 consecutive stable patients recruited during the same period, and clinical characteristics are envisaged as potential predictive factors. Unstable angina is undoubtedly associated with a higher overall complication rate, but the immediate outcome is strongly affected by the clinical context. As an example, respective success and mortality rates are: 93% and 0% when a full revascularization is attempted; 91% and 0% in elective procedures in patients under 60; 87% and 1.2% in elective PTCA for multiple vessel disease; 80% and 6.5% in emergency PTCA; 80% and 11% in the overall triple vessel disease; 84% and 16% in patients with deeply altered ejection fraction; and 58% and 26% in triple vessel disease with 2 previously occluded coronary arteries.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Predictors of long-term cardiac survival in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

The predictors of 5-year cardiac survival in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) were analyzed in a series of 637 consecutive patients. The average age was 59 +/- 11 years in 472 men and 165 women. Diabetes mellitus, previous myocardial infarction and unstable angina were present in 119 (19%), 261 (41%) and 305 (47%) patients, respectively. Angiographically, 460 patients had 2-vessel and 177 patients had 3-vessel CAD. The left ventricular contraction score was greater than or equal to 12 in 55 patients. Angiographic success (less than 50% residual stenosis) was achieved in 85% of the 1,343 narrowings and clinical success was obtained in 526 (83%) of the 637 patients. Complete revascularization was obtained in 177 (34%) of 526 successful patients. Procedure-related complications resulted in death in 9 patients (1.4%), in Q-wave myocardial infarction only in 6 patients (0.9%) and in emergency bypass surgery in 44 patients (6.9%) (of whom 10 had Q-wave myocardial infarction). Follow-up for greater than or equal to 1 year and up to 6 years after PTCA was obtained in 608 (95%) of the 637 patients. To determine the predictors of 5-year cardiac survival, 28 clinical, angiographic and procedural variables were analyzed by Cox proportional-hazards regression. The estimated 5-year survival after PTCA was 88 +/- 2% in successful patients and 77 +/- 5% in patients in whom PTCA was unsuccessful (p less than 0.001). When clinical success was forced into the Cox regression, the left ventricular contraction score of greater than or equal to 12, diabetes mellitus and age greater than or equal to 65 years showed additional adverse effects on survival.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Coronary angioplasty of diffuse coronary artery disease

From January 1983 through December 1987, 98 patients underwent angioplasty of at least one diffusely diseased coronary artery. Diffuse coronary disease was described as: group I, narrowing greater than or equal to 50% that involved the entire vessel (40 patients), group II, long lesions greater than or equal to 2 cm in length (39 patients), group III, three or more lesions in the same vessel (19 patients). There were 65 men and 33 women, with a mean age of 60 years; 64 patients (65%) had unstable angina, 23 patients (23%) were diabetic, 31 (32%) had prior myocardial infarctions, and 12 had prior bypass surgery. Multivessel disease was present in 89% of patients. Angioplasty of only the diffusely diseased vessel was performed in 41 patients, and additional vessels were dilated in 57 patients. Overall, of 396 lesions (four per patient) and 197 vessels (two per patient) attempted, success was achieved in 382 lesions (96%) and 187 vessels (95%); angiographic success was achieved in 112 of 120 diffusely diseased vessels (93%). Clinical success was achieved in 91 patients (93%). The overall complication rate (death, myocardial infarction, urgent bypass surgery) was 8% (8 of 98): six patients (6%) had myocardial infarction (one Q wave, five non-Q wave), one patient (1%) had urgent bypass surgery, and two patients (2%) died (one during bypass surgery). The majority of complications (7 of 8 or 87%), including the two deaths, occurred in group I patients, with a 17.5% rate, versus 2.5% in group II and 0% in group III, p less than 0.002.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Clinical characteristics affecting success or failure of PTCA in patients with multiple vessel disease and poor candidates for surgery

A special form of complex coronary angioplasty is represented by the extension of indications for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) to patients with multivessel disease (MVD) for whom surgery is not indicated, and thus for whom surgical standby is not available. Over a two-year period, 254 consecutive coronary patients with multivessel disease underwent PTCA under such conditions. These patients could not benefit from surgery for various reasons. Of the 612 arteries involved, 155 were occluded, 47 had been previously bypassed. A distal nonbypassable lesion in one of the three major arteries was found in 244 patients, 61 had suffered from a previous infarct, 24 demonstrated an ejection fraction below 0.40, and in 19 a single patent vessel was found. Fifteen patients were in cardiogenic shock and 69 procedures were undertaken for unstable angina. Of this latter group, 25 emergency PTCA were attempted for refractory unstable angina, and 44 additional emergency procedures were directed to the treatment of acute infarct. A total of 40 intra-aortic counterpulsations were needed. As far as possible the procedure aimed at full revascularization. Immediate outcome is strongly affected by the clinical context, and despite a rather constant initial success rate (88-95%), the procedural mortality (directly related or not) can change dramatically with clinical factors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Multivessel coronary angioplasty from 1980 to 1989: procedural results and long-term outcome

From June 1980 to January 1989, 3,186 patients had coronary angioplasty of two (2,399 patients) or three (787 patients) of the three major epicardial coronary systems. A mean of 3.6 lesions (range 2 to 14) were dilated per patient, with a 96% success rate. Acute complications were seen in 94 patients (2.9%) and included Q wave infarction in 47 (1.4%), urgent coronary artery bypass surgery in 33 (1%) and death in 31 (1%). Multivariate correlates of in-hospital death included impaired left ventricular function, age greater than or equal to 70 years and female gender. Complete long-term follow-up data were available for the first 700 patients and the follow-up period averaged 54 +/- 15 months in duration. Actuarial 1 and 5 year survival rates were 97% and 88%, respectively, and were not different in patients with two or three vessel disease. By Cox regression analysis, age greater than or equal to 70 years, left ventricular ejection fraction less than or equal to 40% and prior coronary artery bypass surgery were associated with an increased mortality rate during the follow-up period. Repeat revascularization procedures were required in 322 patients (46%). Restenosis resulted in either repeat angioplasty or bypass surgery in 227 patients (32%). Repeat coronary angioplasty was performed for isolated restenosis in 126 patients (18%), for restenosis and disease progression at new sites in 85 patients (12%) and for new disease progression alone in 54 patients (8%). Coronary bypass surgery was required in 110 patients (16%) during the follow-up period.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Coronary angioplasty in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction

The applications for coronary angioplasty have greatly expanded and the procedure is now increasingly used in complex and potentially high risk conditions. This report describes the short- and long-term effects of coronary angioplasty in 61 patients with severely depressed left ventricular function (ejection fraction less than or equal to 35%) with unstable or refractory anginal symptoms, or both, in whom revascularization was necessary despite increased risk. In a retrospective analysis of 1,260 patients undergoing angioplasty between January 1985 through December 1987, 61 had an ejection fraction less than or equal to 35%. The common clinical presentation was unstable angina (70%) with or without recent myocardial infarction. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 27 +/- 6%. Forty-five patients (74%) had multivessel disease. Clinical success after angioplasty was achieved in 55 patients (90%). Major complications (death, infarction and emergency bypass surgery) occurred in five patients (8.2%), with death in two (3.2%). During long-term (mean 21 +/- 11 months) follow-up study of the 55 patients with successful angioplasty, 13 (23%) died, including 3 of noncardiac causes, and 11 (20%) had clinically symptomatic recurrence. Continued clinical success was present in 39 patients (71%), of whom 28 (51%) were event-free patients and 11 (20%) had clinical recurrence; a successful second angioplasty procedure was performed in 9 because of restenosis. Thus, in patients with depressed left ventricular function, coronary angioplasty can be performed with a short-term success rate comparable to that of routine angioplasty or surgical procedures. However, acute complications are more frequent and the late mortality rate is higher than in patients with less depressed function.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in patients with multivessel coronary disease: how important is complete revascularization for cardiac event-free survival?

The relative influences of revascularization status and baseline characteristics on long-term outcome were examined in 867 patients with multivessel coronary disease who had undergone successful coronary angioplasty. These patients represented 83% of a total of 1,039 patients in whom angioplasty had been attempted with an in-hospital mortality and infarction rate of 2.5% and 4.8%, respectively. Emergency coronary bypass surgery was needed in 4.9%. Of the 867 patients, 41% (group 1) were considered to have complete revascularization and 59% (group 2) to have incomplete revascularization. Univariate analysis revealed major differences between these two groups with patients in group 2 characterized by advanced age, more severe angina, a greater likelihood of previous coronary surgery and infarction, more extensive disease and poorer left ventricular function. Over a mean follow-up period of 26 months, the probability of event-free survival was significantly lower for group 2 only with respect to the need for coronary artery surgery (p = 0.004) and occurrence of severe angina (p = 0.04). The difference in mortality was of borderline significance (p = 0.051) and there were no significant differences between groups 1 and 2 in either the incidence of myocardial infarction or the need for repeat angioplasty. Multivariate analysis identified independent baseline predictors of late cardiac events that were then used to adjust the probabilities of event-free survival. This adjustment effectively removed any significant influence of completeness of revascularization on event-free survival for any of the above end points including the combination of death, myocardial infarction and need for coronary artery surgery. Therefore, late outcome in these patients is not significantly influenced by revascularization status but depends more on baseline patient characteristics.

Multivessel coronary angioplasty early after acute myocardial infarction

Coronary angioplasty has been applied in patients with recent myocardial infarction, but results of angioplasty of multiple vessels early after myocardial infarction in patients with severe multivessel disease have not been reported. Coronary angioplasty of multiple vessels was performed in 105 patients 0 to 15 days (mean 5 +/- 4) after recent myocardial infarction. There were 77 men (73%) and 28 women (27%), with a mean age of 57 years. All patients had severe multivessel disease, 68% with two vessel and 32% with three vessel disease. Twenty-eight patients (27%) had successful thrombolysis before angioplasty and 70 (67%) had postinfarction angina. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 58 +/- 10% and was less than 45% in 13 patients (12%). Angioplasty was attempted in 319 lesions (mean 3 lesions per patient, range 2 to 9) and 252 vessels (mean 2.4 vessels per patient, range 2 to 4), with success in 302 lesions (95%) and 237 vessels (94%); angioplasty was done in two stages in 59 patients (56%). Clinical success was achieved in 102 patients (97%). Complications included myocardial infarction in six patients (5.7%) (one Q wave, five non-Q wave), urgent bypass surgery in two (1.9%) and death in one (0.9%); overall, seven patients (7%) had a major complication. All patients had a follow-up duration greater than 1 year (mean 31 months, range 12 to 73). Clinical recurrence developed in 24 patients (23%), of whom 21 had repeat angioplasty, 1 had bypass surgery and 2 were managed medically. Ten patients (9.8%) had a late infarction and 5 (4.9%) died of cardiac death during the follow-up period.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Successful multiple segment coronary angioplasty: effect of completeness of revascularization in single-vessel multilesions and multivessels

A long-term follow-up study was performed to evaluate the long-term value of performing multiple dilatations according to their procedural (single-vessel multilesion or mutltivessel dilatations) and anatomic types (single-vessel disease with multiple dilatations or multivessel disease dilatations with complete and incomplete revascularization). From 1980 until 1988, 248 patients met the following criteria: (1) at least two lesions dilated (range: 2 to 4) and (2) all attempted lesions successfully dilated. The mean length of follow-up was 33 months. The end points analyzed were death, myocardial infarction, redilatation, and bypass surgery. No differences were found for these events between the single-vessel multilesion group (144 patients) and the multivessel group (104 patients). The 4.5-year probability of event-free survival was 68% and 70%, respectively, for the multilesion group and the multivessel group. In the event-free patients, 57% versus 59% were asymptomatic and 45% versus 46% were not taking antianginal drugs. In the anatomic subgroups, there were less event-free patients in the cohort of incompletely revascularized multivessel disease patients (55% of 55 patients) when compared with the cohort of those who were completely revascularized (84% of 79 patients) or when compared with the single-vessel disease multiple dilatation patients (74% of 107 patients). The 4.5-year event-free survival probability for each group was 44%, 78%, and 74%, respectively. This difference was caused by more infarctions (9% versus 2% versus 4%, respectively) and bypass operations in the multivessel disease, incomplete revascularization group (20% versus 5% versus 10%, respectively). In event-free patients, improvement of angina was similar and was documented in over 85% of patients in each group. Furthermore, the number of asymptomatic patients at follow-up was similar in all groups except that within the incomplete revascularization group, less patients were free of antianginal drugs (21% versus 51% versus 48%). Finally, 48% of the entire cohort performed an exercise test 4.6 months (mean) after dilatation and no difference was found in any of the variables in any group. About 10% of the patients experienced angina and approximately 30% had a positive exercise test for ischemia by ST segment criteria. The functional performance in every group was over 90% of the predicted work load. These results suggest that completeness of revascularization in multivessel disease patients is an important prognostic variable. However, the symptomatic improvement after dilatation is very rewarding in all subsets of patients and argues in favor of the continued use of multiple dilatations as a treatment strategy.

Percutaneous cardiopulmonary bypass support in the catheterization laboratory: technique and complications

A safe and easily applied technique of percutaneous cardiopulmonary bypass support has been developed for use in the cardiac catheterization laboratory. The importance of this technique lies in its ability to maintain hemodynamic stability during high risk interventional procedures regardless of intrinsic cardiac function. Venous and arterial cannulas (18F) are inserted percutaneously over a stiff guide wire after sequential dilatation with 12F and 14F dilators. Bypass flow rates of up to 5 L/min can be achieved. This technique can be applied to support patients with cardiac arrest, hemodynamic collapse after abrupt closure during coronary angioplasty, and cardiogenic shock, as well as those undergoing high-risk elective coronary angioplasty. This form of support also permits transport of the patient to the operating room in a stable condition after an unsuccessful angioplasty. The complications are mostly related to cannula removal and can be minimized by the use of a proper technique. Although the ultimate role of this new technique remains to be completely defined, it appears that it will expand the patient population for whom coronary interventions can be applied.

Diastolic function in patients undergoing coronary angioplasty: influence of degree of revascularization

To assess the early effects of successful coronary angioplasty on Doppler-derived left ventricular filling patterns and the significance of the extent of revascularization on these variables, 31 patients undergoing coronary angioplasty were examined within 24 h before and after the revascularization procedure. After angioplasty, the peak early to late velocity ratio increased from 0.89 +/- 0.2 to 1.05 +/- 0.3 (p less than 0.0001) and the one-third filling fraction increased from 42 +/- 10% to 48 +/- 10% (p less than 0.0001). The percent atrial contribution to filling decreased from 45 +/- 7% to 41 +/- 8% (p less than 0.01), and the pressure half-time and the isovolumetric relaxation time shortened from 55 +/- 15 to 43 +/- 13 ms (p less than 0.001) and from 100 +/- 14 to 82 +/- 17 ms (p less than 0.0001), respectively. When comparing patients with complete (n = 23) and incomplete (n = 8) revascularization, the same changes in the Doppler variables were observed. However, the mean rate of acceleration of early filling increased significantly after angioplasty only in those patients with complete revascularization. These data indicate that the left ventricular diastolic filling pattern is modified significantly as early as 24 h after successful coronary angioplasty. Improvement in impaired relaxation appears to be the most likely explanation for these changes, although increased myocardial stiffness in patients with incomplete revascularization is an alternative hypothesis.

Sustained improvement in left ventricular function after successful coronary angioplasty

The short and long term effects of successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty on left ventricular function, at rest and on exercise were investigated in 49 patients. Thirty-four had had no previous infarction (group 1) and 15 had (group 2). Technetium-99m gated blood pool images were obtained at rest and during exercise before, six weeks after, and a mean of fifteen months after successful angioplasty. Before angioplasty the mean (SD) ejection fraction fell significantly on exercise in both groups from 58 (10)% to 53 (13)% in group 1 and from 48 (10)% to 40 (16)% in group 2. This change was paralleled by a worsening wall motion score (from 0.6 (0.4) to 1.6 (1.2) in group 1 and from 2.3 (1.9) to 3.3 (2.4) in group 2). Six weeks after the procedure there was little change in resting ejection fraction but it increased significantly on exercise (to 62 (11)% in group 1 and to 53 (13)% in group 2). There was a concomitant significant improvement in the exercise wall motion score (to 0.4 (0.6) in group 1 and to 1.8 (1.1) in group 2). This improvement in exercise ejection fraction and wall motion was maintained at later follow up with no significant deterioration in either variable and a clearly sustained improvement in ejection fraction (60 (10)% in group 1 and 51 (10)% in group 2) and wall motion score (0.2 (0.2) in group 1 and 1.3 (0.8) in group 2) compared with values before angioplasty. The initial improvement in left ventricular function on exercise after successful angioplasty was maintained for at least 9-24 months both in patients with previous myocardial infarction and in those without.

Late follow-up of 781 patients undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty or coronary artery bypass grafting for an isolated obstruction in the left anterior descending coronary artery

Seven hundred eighty-one patients with isolated left anterior descending coronary atherosclerosis treated with either coronary artery bypass grafting or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty between January 1980 and December 1984 were studied to determine late survival and event-free survival. Follow-up was complete in 775 patients (99.4%). Actuarial survival at 5 years was 98% for surgical patients and 95% for angioplasty patients (p = 0.02). Five-year event-free survival (freedom from myocardial infarction, bypass grafting, angioplasty, and death) was 93% for surgical patients and 62% for angioplasty patients. This study suggests that the higher initial cost and complexity of bypass surgery may be justified by superior long-term results.