Impact of Incomplete Revascularization After PCI in Left Main Disease: The EXCEL Trial

Treatment of Additional Vessels During Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Unprotected Left Main Disease: Insights From a Large Prospective Registry

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is an established alternative to coronary artery bypass grafting for the treatment of select patients with unprotected left main (LM) coronary artery disease (CAD). This study evaluates the safety and clinical impact of treating additional coronary arteries during LM-PCI. Consecutive patients undergoing PCI with drug-eluting stents for unprotected LM-CAD between 2010 and 2021 at The Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, USA were eligible for inclusion. Patients were stratified based on whether they underwent treatment of the LM complex alone or had concomitant PCI to an additional vessel outside the LM complex. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), a composite of death, myocardial infarction, or stroke, at 1 year following PCI. Among 869 consecutive patients (mean age 70.9, 33.0% female, 27.9 mean SYNTAX score) undergoing LM-PCI, 479 (55.1%) underwent treatment of the LM complex alone, and 390 (44.9%) had concomitant PCI of an additional non-LM vessel. Compared with LM complex PCI only, there were no significant differences in the rate of MACE at 1 year [HR 12.0% vs 13.3%; HR: 0.95; 95% CI (0.62-1.44), p = 0.797], even after adjustment for potential confounders [HR 12.0% vs 13.3%; HR: 0.87; 95% CI (0.56-1.36), p = 0.550]. In conclusion, in a large, real-world cohort of patients undergoing unprotected LM-PCI, treatment of an additional non-LM vessel did not increase the risk of MACE at 1 year compared to LM complex PCI alone.

Left main revascularization guidelines: navigating the data

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This article explores recent developments in left main revascularization, with a focus on appraising the latest American and European guidelines.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent pooled data analysis from four major randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for left main coronary artery stenosis indicate an advantage for CABG over PCI in regard to freedom from major adverse cardiovascular events, despite no significant difference in mortality observed at 5 years. Additional data support the use of CABG for patients with left ventricular dysfunction, complex left main lesions, diffuse coronary disease, and diabetes.

SUMMARY

The data underpinning the guidelines on each revascularization modality (PCI versus CABG) must consider factors such as lesion complexity, diabetes, and left ventricular dysfunction. Additionally, the findings of the four major RCTs upon which the guidelines are based must be ascertained in light of the latest advancements in these revascularization techniques.