Diagnostic performance of angiography-derived index of microvascular resistance: a systematic review and pooled meta-analysis

Background

The index of microvascular resistance (IMR) is an established measurement of coronary microcirculation status. However, it has not been widely incorporated into routine practice due to need for intracoronary instrumentation (pressure wire) and hyperaemic agents. Several angiography-derived quantitative flow ratio-based indexes of microvascular resistance (angio-IMR) have been proposed rekindling the interest for the assessment and management of microvascular disease.

Purpose

To review the overall diagnostic accuracy of angio-IMR against wire based IMR.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature was performed and studies comparing angio-IMR with wire based IMR were included. Individual data was extracted using semi-automatic digitalization. Correlation of angio-IMR with IMR and its diagnostic performance against IMR were analysed.

Results

Six studies directly comparing angio-IMR with IMR were included. Data extraction rate was 85.1% (582/684 vessels). There was a linear correlation between angio-IMR and IMR (β=0.483, R square=0.298) (Figure 1A). Pooled sensitivity was 77%, specificity was 66%, positive predictive value was 65%, negative predictive value was 78%, and accuracy was 71.0%. Pooled area under receiver operator curve of angio-IMR for predicting IMR diagnosed coronary microvascular disease was 0.754 (95% confidential interval 0.715 to 0.793) (Figure 1B). Similar diagnostic performance was observed in subgroups of patients with or without ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Conclusions

Currently available angio-IMR showed a clearly useful discrimination and diagnostic performance against the standard of wire based IMR.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): China Scholarship Council

Impact of bifurcation lesion on 10-year mortality in the SYNTAX trial

Background

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of bifurcation lesions is associated with higher rates of adverse events, and currently it is unclear whether PCI or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the safer treatment for these patients at very long-term follow up.

Objectives

To investigate the impact of bifurcation lesions on observed all-cause 10-year mortality in the SYNTAX trial.

Methods

In the SYNTAX Extended Survival study, 10-year observed mortality was compared among four groups: (a) presence of ≥1 bifurcation lesion and treatment with PCI (n=649), (b) no bifurcation lesion and treatment with PCI (n=248), (c) presence of ≥1 bifurcation lesion and treatment with CABG (n=651), and (d) no bifurcation lesion and treatment with CABG (n=239).

Results

Compared to patients without bifurcations, those with bifurcation lesion(s) treated with PCI had a significantly higher risk of all-cause death (19.8% vs 30.1%; HR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.12 to 2.14; p=0.007), whereas following CABG, mortality was similar in patients with or without bifurcation lesion(s) (23.3% vs 23.0%; HR: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.59 to 1.12; p=0.207). (Figure1) There was a significant interaction between bifurcation lesion(s) and treatment arm (p for interaction=0.006).

In PCI patients, at 5-years there was no significant difference in mortality between 1- vs 2-stent techniques, whereas at 10-years, a 2-stent technique was associated with higher mortality (33.3% vs 25.9%; HR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.06 to 2.14; p=0.021, Figure2).

Conclusions

Bifurcation lesion(s) require special attention from the heart team discussion, considering the higher 10-year all-cause mortality associated with PCI. Careful evaluation of bifurcation lesion complexity may be helpful in decision-making.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Private grant(s) and/or Sponsorship. Main funding source(s): The SYNTAX Extended Survival study was supported by the German Foundation of Heart Research (Frankfurt am Main, Germany). The SYNTAX trial, during 0-5 years follow-up, was funded by Boston Scientific Corporation (Marlborough, MA, USA). Both sponsors had no role in the study design, data collection, data analyses, and interpretation of the study data, nor were involved in the decision to publish the final manuscript. The principal investigators and authors had complete scientific freedom.

Geographic disparity in 10-year mortality after coronary artery revascularization in the SYNTAXES trial

Aims

To investigate geographic disparity in long-term mortality following revascularization in patients with complex coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods and results

The SYNTAXES trial randomized 1800 patients with three-vessel and/or left main CAD to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and assessed their survival at 10-years. Patients were stratified according to the region of recruitment: North America (N-A, n=245), Eastern Europe (E-E: Poland, Hungary, Czech, n=189), Northern Europe (N-E: United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, Latvia, Finland, and Denmark, n=425), Southern Europe (S-E: Spain, Portugal, and Italy, n=263), and Western Europe (W-E: Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium, and Austria, n=678), which also served as the reference group. Compared to W-E, patients were younger in E-E (62 vs 65 years, p<0.001), and less frequently male in N-A (65.3% vs 79.6%, p<0.001). Diabetes (16.0% vs 25.4%, p<0.001) and peripheral vascular disease (6.8% vs 10.9%, p=0.025) were less frequent in N-E than W-E. Ejection fraction was highest in W-E (62% vs 56%, p<0.001). Compared to W-E, the mean anatomic SYNTAX score was higher in S-E (29 vs 31, p=0.008) and lower in N-A (26, p<0.001). Crude ten-year mortality was similar in N-A (31.6%), and W-E (30.7%), and significantly lower in E-E (22.5%, p=0.041), N-E (21.9%, p=0.003) and S-E (22.0%, p=0.014) as presented in left-middle lower of the graphical abstract. We adjusted the survival curves by following factors based on previous report; age, sex, medically treated diabetes, current smokers, peripheral vascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease, left ventricular ejection fraction, disease type, and anatomical SYNTAX score [1]. When the differences in baseline characteristics were adjusted, mortality was still significantly lower in N-E (HR 0.85, 95% CI [0.74–0.97], p=0.019) and trended lower in S-E (HR 0.72 95% CI [0.52–0.99] p=0.043) compared to W-E (right middle-lower of the graphical abstract). However, no significant interaction (P interaction = 0.728) between region and modality of revascularization was seen.

Discussion and conclusions

The main findings of this study are:

1. Rates of crude 10-year mortality were significantly lower in E-E, N-E, and S-E compared to W-E and N-A.

2. The differences in 10-year mortality remained significantly lower with N-E and S-E even after adjustment for confounding factors.

3. However, when comparing PCI to CABG in the five geographic regions, there were no statistically significant interactions between the geographic disparity in pre- and peri-procedural characteristics and all-cause mortality.

In the era of globalization, knowledge and understanding of geographic disparity are of paramount importance for the correct interpretation of global studies.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): The German Foundation of Heart Research (Frankfurt am Main, Germany)

Ten years survival benefit of CABG or PCI based on individual prediction

Background

To compare the observed and individual predicted mortalities according to the SYNTAX score II 2020 (SSII-2020) in the all-comers SYNTAX population, and retrospectively assess the appropriateness of revascularization with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with three vessel disease (3VD) and/or left main disease (LMCAD).

Methods

Internal and external validation of the SSII-2020 to predict 10-year all-cause death was performed in the respective randomized and registry SYNTAX populations. Differences in individual predicted mortalities following CABG or PCI were ranked and displayed with the observed mortalities. The proportions of screened patients deriving a survival benefit from CABG or PCI were determined retrospectively.

Results

A total of 2602 participants (as-treated population) were included in the randomized and registry cohorts. In the randomized cohort, all-cause mortality at 10 years, as an average treatment effect, was 23.8% (199/865) with CABG and 28.6% (249/901) with PCI, with a differential survival benefit of 4.6% (95% CI: 0.58% to 8.7%, log-rank p value=0.023). In the CABG and PCI registries, mortalities were 27.8% (167/644) and 55.4% (99/192), respectively. Calibration and discrimination of the SSII-2020 was helpful in CABG and PCI patients in the randomized and registry cohorts. In the PCI registry, the SSII-2020 underestimated mortality since specific comorbidities that entail high mortality are not included in the formula (C-index: 0.72, intercept: 0.38, slope: 0.66), whilst in the CABG registry, it predicted mortality with a helpful calibration and discrimination (C-index: 0.70, intercept: 0.00, slope: 0.76). The proportions of patients with a predicted survival benefit following CABG and PCI were respectively 78.3% (1383/1766) and 21.7% (383/1766) in the randomized cohort, and 82.4% (2143/2602) and 17.7% (459/2602) in the whole SYNTAX trial population.

Conclusion

In the randomized and registry cohort of this all-comers population with 3VD and/or LMCAD, there was reasonable agreement between the individual predicted and observed mortalities after CABG or PCI, such that the predicted 10-year survival benefit might be helpful in determining the appropriateness of each modality of revascularization.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Private grant(s) and/or Sponsorship. Main funding source(s): The SYNTAX Extended Survival study was supported by the German Foundation of Heart Research (Frankfurt am Main, Germany). The SYNTAX trial, during 0-5 years follow-up, was funded by Boston Scientific Corporation (Marlborough, MA, USA). Both sponsors had no role in the study design, data collection, data analyses, and interpretation of the study data, nor were involved in the decision to publish the final manuscript. The principal investigators and authors had complete scientific freedom.

Impact of left ventricular ejection fraction on 10-year mortality after percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting

Backgrounds

The impact on vital prognosis at very long-term of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with reduced ejection fraction (EF) remains to be elucidated.

Objective

To investigate the impact of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) on 10-year mortality after PCI and CABG in the SYNTAX trial.

Methods

In the SYNTAXES study, 1,800 randomized patients were categorized into three groups according to the current guidelines; (1) reduced EF (rEF; LVEF ≤40%), (2) mildly reduced EF (mrEF; LVEF 41–49%), (3) preserved EF (pEF; LVEF ≥50%). The primary endpoint was 10-year all-cause mortality. Event rate up to 10 years was estimated according to the Kaplan-Meier method, and the log-rank test was performed to examine the differences among LVEF subgroups. The SYNTAX score 2020 (SS-2020) was compared between the patients with reduced (LVEF <50%) and preserved EF (LVEF ≥50%) in order to better refine their respective personalized vital prognosis and assess in cross-validation the value of the risk score.

Results

The population was stratified as rEF (n=168), mrEF (n=179), and pEF (n=1453). Ten-year all-cause mortality were 44.0% vs. 31.8% vs. 22.6% (P<0.001), in patients with rEF, mrEF and pEF, respectively. The significant interaction was not identified between LVEF classification and treatment (P interaction = 0.183). In patients with rEF, there was a tendency toward higher mortality in PCI group than CABG (52.9% vs 39.6%, P=0.054), and no significant differences in patients with mrEF (36.0% vs. 28.6%, P=0.273) and pEF (23.9% vs. 22.2%, P=0.275). According to the SS-2020, PCI was a relatively safe modality of revascularization in 37.8% of the patients with reduced EF (LVEF <50%). In the population with preserved EF (LVEF ≥50%), the proportion of patients eligible to PCI with predicted equipoise in mortality with CABG was 57.5%.

Conclusion

LVEF could an important factor for determining the revascularization treatment in patients presenting with complex coronary artery disease. Calculation of individualized 10-year prognosis using the SS-2020 may be a viable option in decision-making.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Appropriateness of the modality of revascularization according to the SYNTAX 2020 in the FASTTRACK CABG study

Objectives

To compare the modality of revascularization selected by the local heart team to the one recommended by the core laboratory according to the SYNTAX score 2020 amongst patients with three-vessel disease (3VD) with or without left main disease (LMCAD), who were allocated to CABG planned and solely guided by coronary computerized tomographic angiography in the FASTTRACK CABG trial.

Background

Personalized long term vital prognosis plays a key role in deciding between PCI and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with complex coronary artery disease.

Methods

In an interim analysis requested by the Data Safety Monitoring Board the treatment recommendations according to the SYNTAX 2020 were prospectively assessed in 57 consecutive patients (half of the planned population in this First in Man) by a core laboratory and compared to the decision of the “on site” heart team.

Results

According to SS-2020, the predicted absolute risk difference (ARD) in mortality between the virtual PCI treatment population and the CABG treatment group, which can be considered a virtual surrogate for the average treatment effect, increased with the duration of follow up, from 4.8±3.5% at 5 years to 8.8±5.1% at 10 years (Table 1). The ARD of less than 0% in mortality at 5-year in favour of PCI was only documented in two patients while the 55 remaining patients had a predicted survival benefit over PCI if receiving CABG. However, based on a novel threshold of equipoise (ARD <4.5%) recently validated in a contemporary registry of 3VD and LMCAD, CABG was mandatory in 26 (45.6%) patients, whereas PCI or CABG could have been equally selected in 31 (54.4%) patients (Figure 1).

Conclusions

According to the SYNTAX Score 2020 there was a strict observance of the CABG treatment recommendation in the first 57 consecutive patients with 3VD or LMCAD, screened on site in the FAST TRACK CABG trial. The more lenient selection criteria derived from the contemporary regitry will have to be tested propectively. Application of artificial intelligence with expanded collection of baseline characteristics, scientific endorsement and regulatory enforcement as well as further prospective evaluation are the challenges of future decision-making scores, that should be ultimately shared with the patients.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Murray law-based quantitative flow ratio for assessment of left main bifurcation derived from a single fluoroscopic angiographic view as compared to FFRCT

Background

In patients with complex CAD, the presence of left main (LM) disease is an important prognostic factor in assessing the risk balance between PCI and CABG. Functional assessment has become standard of care to evaluate the significance of coronary stenosis and to justify the performance of PCI in the contemporary practice. FFRCT is a well-established method based on 3D reconstruction of coronary artery derived from CCTA. The Murray law-based quantitative flow reserve (μQFR) is a novel computational method of invasive angiography relying on a single angiographic view that takes into account side branches diameters to compute fractal flow division. The aim of the current analysis is to evaluate in patients with complex CAD the feasibility of μQFR in LM bifurcation and its diagnostic concordance with FFRCT. The impact of the optimal viewing angle defined by CCTA on the physiological assessment of the LM bifurcation using a single angiographic view was also evaluated.

Methods

In 299 consecutive patients with 3-vessel disease with or without LM coronary artery disease, up to 3 analyzable fluoroscopic projections per patient were analysed with μQFR retrospectively. FFRCT and μQFR were measured at 3 fiducial landmark points: i) point of LM bifurcation (POB); ii) proximal LAD 10 mm distal to POB; ii) proximal LCX 10 mm distal to POB. CCTA-based “optimal viewing angle” of LM bifurcation are computed by creating a 3-point closed spline involving the LM, LAD, and LCX at 5mm from the POB and subsequently by reconstructing the “en face” fluoroscopic viewing angle of the spline. The en face viewing angle provides an optimal assessment of the bifurcation geometry [1]. In terms of Rx gantry angulation, the closest angiographic projection to the optimal viewing angle derived from CCTA was defined as the “best fluoroscopic projection” for each patient.

Results

In 299 patients, 793 projections were analysed with μQFR and compared to FFRCT. Single view μQFR was analyzable in 100%. Correlation and agreement between μQFR and FFRCT for 793 projections in 299 patients are shown in Figure 1A, 2A. The Spearman's correlation coefficient showed moderate correlations at POB (r=0.481, p<0.001) and LCX (r=0.584, p<0.001), and strong correlation at LAD (r=0.642, p<0.001). Correlation and agreement between μQFR and FFRCT for best projections from each patient are shown in Figure 1B, 2B. Correlations were improved in the best projections with the following Spearman's correlation coefficient: at POB (r=0.522, p<0.001), LCX (r=0.622, p<0.001), and LAD (r=0.695, p<0.001).

Conclusion

Computation of μQFR from a single angiographic view has a high feasibility. Tailored optimal fluoroscopic view is essential for the physiological assessment of the LM bifurcation using a single angiographic view. Evaluation of diagnostic accuracy of μQFR warrants further analysis of the LMCAD after prospective planning of the optimal fluoroscopic view based on the selection of the best CCTA 3D view.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Quantitative angiographic assessment of aortic regurgitation post 11 different types of TAVI devices a multicentre pooled analysis of 2665 valves

Background

Regurgitation following TAVR impacts all-cause mortality. So far, no quantitative comparison of regurgitation by the same core lab has been performed among the various commercially available transcatheter heart valves (THV) We aimed to compare quantitative angiographic aortic regurgitation (AR) of 11 different types of THVs.

Method

This is a multicentre retrospective corelab pooled analysis of aortograms from 2704 consecutive patients treated with 11 different THV devices. Analysis was done by quantitative videodensitometric aortography (LVOT-AR), which is an objective, accurate, and reproducible tool for assessment of AR following TAVR. This method relies on time density changes in contrast medium after injection in the ascending aorta and its regurgitation (and subsequent density increase) in the LVOT. The ratio between the areas under the two-time density curves of these regions quantifies the AR in absolute percentage. The valves evaluated include ACURATE neo2 (n=120), Lotus (n=546), Myval (n=108), VitaFlow (n=105), Evolut PRO (n=95), SAPIEN 3 (n=397), Evolut R (n=295), SAPIEN XT (n=239), ACURATE neo (n=120), Venus-A (n=113) and CoreValve (n=532). Stratification of continuous variable regurgitation into categorical variables was performed according to the following pre-determined threshold criteria: 1) none/trace regurgitation (LVOT-AR<6%); 2) mild (6%≤ LVOT-AR ≤17%); and 3) moderate or severe (LVOT-AR >17%).

Results

The addition of anti PVR sealing features to the new generations ACURATE neo2 THV proved to be effective in reduction the incidence of significant PVR In comparison with the first generation ACURATE neo.

Myval, VitaFlow and Venus-A THVs are showing promising results.

Although the incidence of moderate/severe AR has regressed over time with new generations of THVs, the incidence of mild AR is still prominent with all THVs still exhibiting mild AR with an incidence ranging between 30% and 50% with the exception of the Lotus valve that had an 19% incidence of mild AR

Conclusion

ACURATE neo2 had the lowest severe/moderate percentage of AR showing significant improvements in comparison to ACURATE neo. Myval, VitaFlow and Venus-A are promising options in the THV armamentarium. These results should be confirmed in prospective randomized, head-to-head comparisons between THVs.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Angiographic derived physiological assessment after intervention for predicting 2-year vessel-oriented composite endpoints in Multivessel TALENT trial

Aims

The purpose of the study is to assess the treatment results in the first 200 patients in the ongoing Multivessel TALENT trial and to predict the vessel-oriented endpoint by assessing the quantitative flow ratio (QFR) post PCI in a central independent core laboratory.

Methods

In this prospective, randomized, 1:1 balanced, multi-centre, open-label trial, de novo multivessel coronary artery disease patients without left main disease are assigned to the sirolimus-eluting stent or everolimus-eluting stent arm. The percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is planned based on functional lesion evaluation by QFR provided by the Core laboratory and the PCI has to be optimized by intravascular imaging, optimal pharmacological treatment and prasugrel monotherapy.

Results

Mean age of the population was 66.6±14.7 years, and 78.1% of them were male. This population consists of 17.4% unstable angina and of 31.8% diabetic patients. Anatomical SYNTAX score was 18.8±9.1. Total 458 lesions were treated from September 2020 to December 2021. Left anterior descending artery accounts for 40.3%, bifurcation lesion was present in 40.8%, total occlusion in 4.2%. The average stent diameter and total stent length were 3.0±0.4mm and 38.7±22.4mm, respectively. Intravascular imaging was used in 92.8% of treated vessels (intravascular ultrasound 56.5%, optical coherent tomography 36.3%). Pre-PCI QFR was analysable in 435 vessels (0.59±0.21), and 5.5% of them were treated even though the pre-PCI QFR values were more than 0.8. Post-PCI QFR has been so far analysed in 303 vessels (0.93±0.11) and 79.5% of them achieved a post-PCI QFR equal or superior to 0.91. Based on the previous study [1], Two-year vessel-oriented composite endpoint (VOCE) was estimated to become 5.4% in the present study population (3.7% in the patient group that achieved post PCI QFR equal or superior to 0.91, while 12% in the patients who could not reach the threshold), which was almost equal to what is expected in the power calculation.

Conclusions

In the Multivessel TALENT trial, the large majority of the vessels treated (94.5%) complied with the hemodynamic criteria of recommended PCI as provided by the QFRs of the Core laboratory. Favourable post-PCI QFR (≥0.91) obtained in 80% of the patients let expected a favourable VOCE outcome of 5.4%.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): The National University of Ireland Galway

Comparison of the SYNTAX score 2020 based on Coronary Artery Computed Tomography (CCTA) with Invasive Coronary Angiography (ICA)

Introduction

The SYNTAX III REVOLUTION trial demonstrated that clinical decision-making between coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) based on coronary artery computed tomography (CCTA) and predicting four years mortality according to the SYNTAX score II had a high agreement with the treatment decision derived from invasive coronary angiography (ICA). The agreement of the novel SYNTAX score 2020 (SS-2020) based on CCTA and ICA has not yet been evaluated in a prospective fashion.

Methods

This study included 54 consecutive patients in the ongoing FASTTRACK CABG trial that investigates decision making, planning and procedural CABG guidance based solely on CCTA and FFRct. All the patients underwent CCTA and ICA, and SS-2020 was calculated based on the results of anatomical SYNTAX score derived from either CCTA or ICA, and the respective scores were compared by using paired t-test.

Results

The mean age was 67.3±9.7, and 48 were men (88.9%). Anatomical SYNTAX score derived from CCTA was assessed in the 54 cases (analysability 100%). Anatomical SYNTAX scores based on CCTA and ICA were 34.3±9.3, and 35.5±11.3, respectively (P=0.480). As shown in the table predicted 5 years major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) following either PCI or CABG, as well as predicted 10 years mortality following CABG differed significantly. However the absolute risk differences (ARD) in 5 years MACCE and 10 years mortality following either PCI or CABG, were comparable.

Conclusions

High agreements were confirmed in the calculations of anatomical SYNTAX scores with CCTA and ICA. Despite significant differences in predicted MACCE rates at 5 years and mortalities at 10 years, the ARD in MACCE rates and mortality were comparable. In terms of treatment decision-making, SS-2020 calculations based on CCTA is a non-invasive predictive tool comparable to the one based on ICA.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Efficacy and safety of early aspirin withdrawal and continuation of ticagrelor monotherapy post PCI for STEMI. A post hoc analysis of the randomized global leaders trial

Background

Clinical presentation with STEMI is considered as a highly prothrombotic condition often associated with recurrent ischemic events. The role of aspirin as part of antiplatelet regimens in STEMI patients needs to be clarified especially in the context of new potent P2Y12 inhibitors

Aim

To assess the benefit and risk of 23-month ticagrelor monotherapy after one month of DAPT against the conventional 12-month DAPT with aspirin and ticagrelor followed by aspirin monotherapy among STEMI patients in the GLOBAL LEADERS trial.

Methods

We did a post hoc analysis of STEMI patients in the GLOBAL LEADERS trial (2092 patients). We compared the experimental ticagrelor monotherapy group (1062 patients) with the standard 12-month DAPT group (1030 patients) in rates of GLOBAL LEADERS predefined primary (composite of all-cause mortality or non-fatal, new Q-wave myocardial infarction (MI) and secondary end points (BARC 3 or 5 bleeding). NACE (Net Adverse Clinical Events) and POCE (Patient- Oriented Composite End points). We also compared GLOBAL LEADERS predefined end points in STEMI, UA, NSTEMI and CCS in both treatment arms.

Results

At two years, there were no significant differences in rates of GLOBAL LEADERS primary end points in patients who had or did not have STEMI. BARC bleeding in either treatment group didn't vary significantly among STEMI, NSTEMI and UA. Nevertheless, the experimental strategy had led to significant increase in BARC bleeding in CCS compared with STEMI at 1 and 2 years. There were similar rates of NACE and POCE in both the experimental and reference treatment groups at 1 and 2 years post PCI.

Conclusions and relevance

The incidence of GLOBAL LEADRER defined end points has not been impacted by STEMI presentation. Our findings suggest that an earlier cessation of DAPT at 1 month post primary PCI, with continuation of a potent P2Y12 antagonist monotherapy, could be safe and avoids additional bleeding risk in the STEMI setting. Given the post-hoc nature of the analysis, our findings should not necessitate changes in recommendations for practice by professional associations and regulatory agencies. However, all reported findings should rather be considered only as hypothesis-generating and need be replicated in dedicated large-scale randomized trials to further assess the role of Aspirin free antithrombotic strategies post PCI in STEMI.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Long-term prediction of mortality and comparative treatment benefit following percutaneous or surgical revascularization

Background

The SYNTAX score II 2020 (SSII-2020), which was derived and externally validated from randomized trials, was designed to predict death following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with three-vessel disease and/or left main disease. We aimed to investigate its value in identifying the safest modality of revascularization in a non-randomized setting.

Methods

Five-year mortality was assessed in 7362 patients with three-vessel disease and/or left main disease enrolled in a Japanese PCI/CABG registry. New-generation drug eluting stents and imaging guidance became the default PCI strategy during enrolment of the last cohort. The discriminative ability of the SSII-2020 for 5-year mortality was assessed using Harrell's C statistic (C-index). Agreement between observed and predicted rates of all-cause mortality following either PCI or CABG and treatment benefit (absolute risk difference) for this outcome were assessed by calibration plots.

Results

The SSII-2020 had helpful discrimination (C-index = 0.72) and good calibration (intercept = −0.11, slope = 0.92) for 5-year mortality. The absolute risk difference in mortality between CABG and PCI (treatment benefit) was well calibrated when the whole population was grouped into quarters according to the predicted absolute risk difference of 5-year mortality. The observed differences in survival in favor of CABG were 4.2% (0.1 to 8.2%, log-rank p=0.05) and 8.5% (3.8 to 13.2%, log-rank p<0.01) in the respective third and fourth quarters. In contrast, the observed differences in survival were not significantly different in either the first (3.0% [−0.8 to 6.8%, log-rank p=0.12]) or the second quarter (1.3% [−2.4 to 5.1%, log-rank p=0.39]).

Conclusions

The SSII-2020 is well able to predict death at 5 years – and the mortality difference between PCI and CABG, and therefore has the potential to support decision making on revascularization in patients with three-vessel disease and/or left main coronary artery disease.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Ten-year all-cause death after percutaneous or surgical revascularization for men and women with multivessel or left main coronary artery disease: insights from the SYNTAX extended survival study

Background

In patients with complex coronary artery disease (CAD), women favored coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG) compared to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) at 5 years in the SYNTAX trial, whereas mortality rates after PCI and CABG were not different in men. On the other hand, poor outcomes of women undergoing PCI were not observed in the PRECOMBAT and BEST trials.

The long-term optimal revascularization strategy according to gender has not been fully evaluated.

Purpose

In the SYNTAX Extended Survival (SYNTAXES) study, no significant difference existed in all-cause death between PCI and CABG at 10 years. This study aimed to assess treatment effect of PCI and CABG for 10-year all-cause death according to gender.

Methods

The SYNTAXES study evaluated vital status up to 10 years in 1,800 patients with de novo three-vessel disease (3VD) and/or left main coronary artery disease (LMCAD) randomized to treatment with CABG or PCI in the SYNTAX trial, and the pre-specified primary endpoint was all-cause death at 10 years. In this prespecified analysis, all-cause death at 10 years according to gender in patients undergoing PCI or CABG was evaluated.

Results

Of 1800 patients, 402 (22.3%) were women and 1398 (77.7%) were men. In women, the rate of mortality was significantly higher in the PCI arm at 5 years than in the CABG arm (19.3% vs. 10.3%; Log-rank p=0.010, Figure A), but the rates of mortality were not different at 10 years between the PCI and CABG arms (33.0% vs. 32.5%; Log-rank p=0.600, Figure A). In men, the mortality rate tended to be higher in the PCI arm at 10 years than in the CABG arm (27.0% vs. 22.5%; Log-rank p=0.082, Figure B), although the mortality rates were not different at 5 years between the PCI and CABG arms (12.4% vs. 12.3%; Log-rank p=0.957, Figure B).

Conclusion

The efficacy of CABG observed at 5 years disappeared at 10 years in women, whereas the efficacy of CABG became apparent after 5 years in men.

Figure 1

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, Netherlands, reference: MEC-2016-716

A prospective multicentre randomized all-comers trial to assess the safety and effectiveness of the ultra-thin-strut sirolimus-eluting coronary stent Supraflex: 2-year results of the TALENT trial

Background and purpose

Supraflex is a sirolimus-eluting stent with a biodegradable polymeric coating and 60um ultra-thin struts. In the TALENT study, we found the Supraflex stent was non-inferior to the Xience stent for a device-oriented composite endpoint (DOCE, defined as cardiac death, target-vessel myocardial infarction, or clinically indicated target lesion revascularisation) at 12 months in an all-comer population. Additionally, per-protocol analysis showed a significantly lower clinically indicated target lesion revascularisation (CI-TLR) in the Supraflex group than in the Xience group. We now present the 2-year follow-up results.

Methods

The TALENT study was a prospective, randomised, single-blind, multicentre study across 23 centres in Europe. Eligible participants underwent percutaneous coronary intervention in an all-comers fashion in vessels of 2.25–4.5 mm. Patients were randomized (1:1) to implantation of either Supraflex or Xience (NCT02870140).

Results

Between October 21, 2016 and July 3, 2017, 720 patients with 1046 lesions were randomly assigned to Supraflex, and 715 patients with 1030 lesions to Xience. At 24 months, DOCE had occurred in 49 patients (6.9%) in the Supraflex group and in 56 patients (7.9%) in the Xience group (absolute difference −1.0% [95% CI: −3.7 to 1.7], Plog-rank=0.491). Per-protocol analysis at 24 months showed CI-TLR occurred in 21 and 30 patients in the Supraflex and Xience, respectively (3.3% versus 4.5%, absolute difference −1.2%, [95% CI: −3.3 to 0.9], Plog-rank=0.267).

Conclusion

In an all-comer population, at 2-year follow-up, the use of Supraflex stent was at least as safe and efficacious as Xience stent. However, the significantly lower rate of CI-TLR shown in patients treated with Supraflex at 1-year was no longer retained in the 2-year results. Whether theoretical advantage of ultra-thin strut drug eluting stents Supraflex can translate into clinical benefit or not will be further elucidated through a total of 3 years of follow-up.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Private company. Main funding source(s): SMT

Treatment of complex coronary artery disease in patients with diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease: 10-year results comparing outcomes of CABG and PCI in the SYNTAXES trial

Background

The SYNTAX Extended Survival (SYNTAXES) study is an investigator-driven extension of follow-up of the SYNTAX trial, which was a non-inferiority trial that compared percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using first-generation paclitaxel-eluting stents with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with de-novo three-vessel and left main coronary artery disease. The SYNTAXES study is the first randomized trial that reported the complete 10-year data on all-cause death in patients with complex coronary artery disease.

Purpose

Patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and concomitant diabetes mellitus (DM) or chronic kidney disease (CKD) are more susceptible to major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. However, to date, the long-term prognosis and which revascularization strategy was associated with better clinical outcomes for patients with complex coronary artery disease and concomitant with DM and CKD have not been documented.

Methods

In this sub-analysis of the SYNTAXES trial, a total of 1,638 patients were classified into four subgroups according to the DM and CKD status: DM−/CKD− (n=999, 60.1%), DM+/CKD− (n=323, 19.7%), DM−/CKD+ (n=231, 14.1%), and DM+/CKD+ (n=85, 5.2%). The treatment effects of PCI and CABG were analyzed in each subgroup. The primary endpoint was all-cause death at 10 years.

Results

Compared with the DM−/CKD− patients, patients with DM+/CKD+ were older, more often had a history of stroke, hypertension, heart failure, and were more frequently presented with total occlusion, bifurcation lesion and three-vessel disease. At 10 years, patients with DM+/CKD+ had a 3.94-fold higher incidence of all-cause mortality compared with DM−/CKD− individuals (54.1% versus 18.9%, 95% CI [2.85–5.44]). Patients with DM−/CKD+ (38.1%, HR 2.36; 95% CI [1.83–5.44]) or DM+/CKD− (28.2%, HR 1.61; 95% CI [1.26–2.07]) had intermediate risk profile. For DM+/CKD+ patients, compared with PCI, those who underwent CABG were associated with lower incidence of all-cause mortality (64.3% versus 44.2%, adjusted HR 0.52; 95% CI [0.27–0.99], p=0.047, pinteraction=0.443). The number of needed-to-treat to reduce mortality for CABG was 12.

Conclusion

In the SYNTAX population, patients with DM and CKD are at markedly increased risk of long-term mortality rate compared with patients one or neither of these risk factors. For patients with both comorbidities, CABG was associated with better clinical outcome compared with PCI. These findings should be interpreted as hypothesis-generating.

Figure 1. Kaplan-Meier curves showing the clinical events according to treatment and DM/CKD status.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Private company. Main funding source(s): Boston Scientific Corporation

Impact of diabetes mellitus on 2-year outcomes of Absorb BVS compared to Xience EES: a pooled analysis of the COMPARE-ABSORB and AIDA trial

Background and purpose

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). To evaluate the impact of Absorb bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) in patients with DM, we aimed to compare the 2-year outcomes of Absorb BVS versus 2nd generation drug eluting stents Xience (EES) by pooling diabetic patients treated with BVS or EES from two large, randomized controlled trial.

Methods

Patients with medically-treated DM and treated by Absorb BVS in the COMPARE-ABSORB and AIDA trial were pooled for analysis. The primary efficacy outcomes measure was target lesion failure (cardiac death, target-vessel myocardial infarction or target lesion revascularization), and the primary safety outcome measure was device thrombosis at 2-year follow-up.

Results

Out of a total 3515 enrolled subjects in the two trials, 913 were diabetics. Compared with the non-diabetic patients, those with DM were older, more often to have a history of hypercholesterolemia, chronic renal failure, stroke, hypertension, heart failure, peripheral vascular disease and previous PCI. At 2-years, target lesion failure occurred in 10.8% of BVS DM patients and 7.6% of EES DM patients (adjusted HR 1.43, 95% CI: 0.87–2.34, P=0.115). The 2-year rates of cardiac death (2.4% vs 1.6%, P=0.385), TV-MI (5% vs 1.6%, P=0.123) and TLR (7.8% vs 5.8%, P=0.416) showed not significant difference. The 2-year incidence of definite device thrombosis was 3.2% in Absorb BVS versus 0.7% in Xience EES (adjusted HR 4.77, 95% CI: 1.01–22.43, P=0.048).

Conclusion

This pooling of the diabetic patients from two large scale RCTs compared BVS versus 2nd generation DES, showed an increased rate of device thrombosis in BVS-treated patients at 2 years.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Private company. Main funding source(s): Abbott

Impact of periprocedural myocardial infarction on 10-year mortality after percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting for multivessel or left main coronary artery disease

Background

Periprocedural myocardial infarction (PMI) occurs frequently after both percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and bypass grafting surgery (CABG) in patients with complex coronary artery disease (CAD), and PMI has been shown to have a detrimental impact on mortality. On the other hand, long-term impact of PMI on mortality has not been fully evaluated.

Purpose

This study aimed to assess the impact of PMI according to SCAI definition on 10-year all-cause death in patients with complex CAD.

Methods

The SYNTAX Extended Survival (SYNTAXES) study evaluated vital status up to 10 years in 1800 patients with de novo three-vessel disease and/or left main coronary artery disease randomized to treatment with CABG or PCI in the SYNTAX trial. Blood was sampled for creatine kinase (CK) pre- and post-revascularisation, and the cardiac specific MB iso-enzyme (CK-MB) was determined only if the CK ratio ≥2 x the upper limit of normal (ULN). If the CK ratio <2 ULN, CK-MB assessment was not mandated. In this analysis, patients with at least one blood sampling within 48 hours of the procedure were included. PMI was defined as follows; peak CK-MB measured within 48 hours of the procedure ≥10 x ULN, or ≥5 x ULN with new Q-waves in 2 contiguous leads or new persistent left bundle branch block.

Results

Of 1800 patients, 1679 (93.2%) patients were included. Of 877 patients treated with PCI, PMI occurred in 26 patients (3.0%), whereas 14 (1.7%) PMIs were observed in 802 patients treated with CABG. Compared with patients without PMI, patients with PMI presented with unstable angina more frequently (45.0% vs. 28.7, p=0.033), and had a higher rate of bifurcation lesion (87.5% vs. 72.5, p=0.046). PMI was associated with a higher all-cause mortality at 10 years compared with no PMI (55.3% vs. 25.4%; Log-rank p<0.001, Figure), which was mainly driven by a high mortality rate within 1 year. In patients undergoing PCI, the mortality rates were significantly higher in patients with PMI not only within 1 year (Log-rank p<0.001) but also beyond one year (Log-rank p=0.016), compare to patients without PMI (Figure). On the other hand, in patients undergoing CABG, a higher mortality rate in patients with PMI was observed until 1 year (Log-rank p<0.001), but the impact of PMI on mortality beyond one year after CABG subsided (Log-rank p=0.308) (Figure 1).

Conclusion

PMI was associated with a poor prognosis at 10 years. The impact of PMI on mortality was strong within one year. Of note, the impact of PMI on mortality persisted beyond 1 year only in patients undergoing PCI. Patients who were treated with PCI and suffered PMI need careful follow-up beyond one year after revascularization.

Figure 1

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Two-year clinical performance of Absorb BVS compared to Xience EES in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: a pooled analysis of AIDA and COMPARE-ABSORB trials

Introduction

Bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS) use appears theoretically attractive in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) as acute lesions are generally composed of soft plaques, in which optimal BVS deployment and expansion is easier to achieve. Furthermore, those patients are generally younger and would benefit longer from the promise of vascular restoration therapy.

Purpose

In this patient level pooled analysis of two clinical trials, we evaluated the clinical outcomes of Absorb BVS versus Xience everolimus-eluting stent (EES) in STEMI patients at 2-year follow-up.

Methods

We performed an individual patient-level pooled analysis of the AIDA and COMPARE-ABSORB trials in which 3515 patient were randomly assigned to Absorb BVS (n=1772) or Xience EES (n=1743). Clinical outcomes in STEMI patients were analyzed by randomized treatment assignment cumulative through 2 years. The primary efficacy outcomes measure was target lesion failure (cardiac death, target-vessel myocardial infarction or target lesion revascularization), and the primary safety outcome measure was device thrombosis at 2-year follow-up.

Results

350 (19.8%) STEMI patients were allocated to Absorb BVS versus 328 (18.8%) to Xience EES. The mean age of patient presenting with STEMI was 60 years old, 76.0% were males and 15.3% had diabetes mellitus. At 2-years target lesion failure occurred in 8.4% of BVS STEMI patients and 6.2% of EES STEMI patients (p=0.253). The 2-year rates of cardiac death (2.6% vs 1.6%, p=0.332), TV-MI (4.7% vs 2.5%) and TLR (6.8% vs 4.1%) were not significantly different. The 2-year incidence of definite device thrombosis was 4.7% in Absorb BVS versus 1.8% in Xience EES (p=0.045).

Conclusion

In the present patient-level pooled analysis of the AIDA and COMPARE-Absorb trials, BVS was associated with increased rates of device thrombosis in STEMI patients compared to Xience EES.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Private company. Main funding source(s): Abbott

Ten-year all-cause death in elderly patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting: a prespecified subgroup analysis of the SYNTAX Extended Survival study

Background

Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death among elderly men and women worldwide. The aging society worldwide will lead to increasing numbers of elderly patients with multivessel coronary artery disease. Although age is recognized as one of the most important factors in a decision-making for revascularization of multivessel coronary artery disease, the very long-term outcomes in patients undergoing revascularization by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is still unclear.

Objectives

The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between revascularization strategies and 10-year outcomes in elderly patients.

Methods

The SYNTAX Extended Survival (SYNTAXES) study (NCT 03417050) is an investigator-driven extension of follow-up of a multicentre, randomised controlled trial done in 85 hospitals across 18 North American and European countries, enrolling 1,800 patients with de novo three-vessel disease (3VD) and/or left main coronary artery disease (LMCAD) randomized to revascularization strategy with CABG versus PCI in the SYNTAX trial. Patients were divided into two groups according to the prespecified threshold of 70 years old; elderly patients (>70 years) and non-elderly patients (≤70 years). The primary endpoint of this study was all-cause death at 10 years.

Results

Out of 1,800 patients, 575 patients (31.9%) were classified as elderly (>70 years). The mean age ± standard deviation (SD) of the elderly patients and the non-elderly patients was 75.8±3.6 years and 60.1±7.4 years, respectively. Of note, elderly patients were more frequently female than non-elderly patients (33.6% vs. 17.1%, p<0.001). As expected, the elderly patients had higher prevalence of chronic kidney disease (43.4% vs. 7.9%, p<0.001), had higher anatomical SYNTAX score (30.2±11.8 vs 28.0±11.2 p<0.001) when compared to those of the non-elderly patients.

Up to 10 years, all-cause death occurred in 42.7% and 18.9% in the elderly and non-elderly patients, respectively (Log-rank p<0.001). The cubic spline curve showed an exponentially increase in all-cause death at 10 years according to the increase of age both in the PCI arm and the CABG arm. At 10 years, there was no significant difference in the risk of all-cause death between CABG vs. PCI either in elderly patients (41.5% vs. 44.0%; Log-rank p=0.53) or non-elderly patients (16.6% vs. 21.1%; Log-rank p=0.051).

Conclusion

CABG and PCI were equipoise in terms of risk of all-cause death at 10 years in patients with de novo 3VD and/or LMCAD irrespective of their age when stratified according to the prespecified threshold of 70 years old.

Kaplan-Meier curves

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): German Foundation of Heart Research

The 2010s in clinical drug-eluting stent and bioresorbable scaffold research: a Dutch perspective

Dutch researchers were among the first to perform clinical studies in bare metal coronary stents, the use of which was initially limited by a high incidence of in-stent restenosis. This problem was greatly solved by the introduction of drug-eluting stents (DES). Nevertheless, enthusiasm about first-generation DES was subdued by discussions about a higher risk of very-late stent thrombosis and mortality, which stimulated the development, refinement, and rapid adoption of new DES with more biocompatible durable polymer coatings, biodegradable polymer coatings, or no coating at all. In terms of clinical DES research, the 2010s were characterised by numerous large-scale randomised trials in all-comers and patients with minimal exclusion criteria. Bioresorbable scaffolds (BRS) were developed and investigated. The Igaki-Tamai scaffold without drug elution was clinically tested in the Netherlands in 1999, followed by an everolimus-eluting BRS (Absorb) which showed favourable imaging and clinical results. Afterwards, multiple clinical trials comparing Absorb and its metallic counterpart were performed, revealing an increased rate of scaffold thrombosis during follow-up. Based on these studies, the commercialisation of the device was subsequently halted. Novel technologies are being developed to overcome shortcomings of first-generation BRS. In this narrative review, we look back on numerous devices and on the DES and BRS trials reported by Dutch researchers.

Predictive value of the QFR in detecting vulnerable plaques in non-flow limiting lesions: a combined analysis of the PROSPECT and IBIS-4 study

Studies have shown that the quantitative flow ratio (QFR), recently introduced to assess lesion severity from coronary angiography, provides useful prognostic information; however the additive value of this technique over intravascular imaging in detecting lesions that are likely to cause events is yet unclear. We analysed data acquired in the PROSPECT and IBIS-4 studies, in particular the baseline virtual histology-intravascular ultrasound (VH-IVUS) and angiographic data from 17 non-culprit lesions with a presumable vulnerable phenotype (i.e., thin or thick cap fibroatheroma) that caused major adverse cardiac events or required revascularization (MACE) at 5-year follow-up and from a group of 78 vulnerable plaques that remained quiescent. The segments studied by VH-IVUS were identified in coronary angiography and the QFR was estimated. The additive value of 3-dimensional quantitative coronary angiography (3D-QCA) and of the QFR in predicting MACE at 5 year follow-up beyond plaque characteristics was examined. It was found that MACE lesions had a greater plaque burden (PB) and smaller minimum lumen area (MLA) on VH-IVUS, a longer length and a smaller minimum lumen diameter (MLD) on 3D-QCA and a lower QFR compared with lesions that remained quiescent. By univariate analysis MLA, PB, MLD, lesion length on 3D-QCA and QFR were predictors of MACE. In multivariate analysis a low but normal QFR (> 0.80 to < 0.97) was the only independent prediction of MACE (HR 3.53, 95% CI 1.16-10.75; P = 0.027). In non-flow limiting lesions with a vulnerable phenotype, QFR may provide additional prognostic information beyond plaque morphology for predicting MACE throughout 5 years.

278Clinical outcomes of state-of-the-art percutaneous coronary revascularization in patients with three-vessel disease: 3-year follow-up of the SYNTAX II study

Background

The clinical implication of state-of-art PCI at long term follow-up in patients with three vessel disease is undetermined.

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to investigate whether the favourable outcomes of state-of-the-art PCI in the SYNTAX-II trial, demonstrated up to 2 years, are maintained at 3-year follow-up.

Methods

The SYNTAX-II study was a multicentre, single arm study that investigated the impact of a state-of-art PCI strategy on clinical outcomes in patients with de novo three vessel coronary artery disease, without left main disease. State-of-art PCI includes: heart team decision-making utilizing the SYNTAX score II, hybrid iFR-FFR decision-making strategy, intravascular ultrasound guided stent implantation, contemporary chronic total occlusion revascularization techniques and guideline-directed medical therapy. The primary endpoint is major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE – a composite of all-cause death, any stroke, myocardial infarction, or revascularization) at 3 years. Clinical outcomes in SYNTAX-II were compared to the predefined PCI (SYNTAX-I PCI) and coronary artery bypass graft (SYNTAX-I CABG) cohorts from the landmark SYNTAX Trial (SYNTAX-I), selected on the basis of equipoise for long-term (4-year) mortality utilising the SYNTAX Score II.

Results

Between February 2014 and November 2015, 454 patients out of 708 screened patients were enrolled in SYNTAX-II. In SYNTAX-I, 643 (58.8%) patients with 3VD without left main disease had an equipoise recommendation for CABG or PCI based on the SYNTAX Score II and were used as the comparator. At 2 years, MACCE rate in SYNTAX-II was significantly lower compared to SYNTAX-I PCI (13.2% vs. 21.9%, p=0.001). Furthermore, similar two-year outcomes for MACCE were evident between SYNTAX II-PCI and SYNTAX-I CABG (13.2 vs. 15.1%, p=0.42). Three-year results will be presented at ESC2019.

Conclusions

Three-year results of his study may offer an attractive option of revascularization strategy in predefined patients with de novo 3VD (SYNTAX Score II inclusion) even if the patients have moderate to severe anatomical complexity (anatomic SYNTAX score >22).

Acknowledgement/Funding

European Cardiovascular Research Institute (ECRI) with unrestricted research grants from Volcano and Boston Scientific

P3589New generation stents for primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute myocardial infarction: evidence from an individual patient data network meta-analysis of randomized clinical

Background

Drug-eluting stents have shown their superiority in primary percutaneous intervention in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). No specific stent type has fully proven its superiority over others.

Purpose

We sought to compare the safety and efficacy of coronary artery stents in STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI through comprehensive network meta-analysis (NMA).

Methods

We performed an individual patient data (IPD) NMA of dedicated randomized trials in STEMI patients treated with coronary stents. The primary endpoint of interest was the composite outcome of cardiac death, any myocardial infarction (MI) or target lesion revascularization (TLR). Secondary outcomes were the individual component of the primary endpoint and definite or probable stent thrombosis. Outcomes were analyzed at the longest available follow-up. The primary analysis was performed using a one-stage random-effects meta-analysis.

Results

IPD from 15 randomized trials in STEMI patients were obtained including a total of 10,979 patients. Six different stent types were studied including bare metal stents (BMS), durable-polymer paclitaxel-eluting stents (DP-PES), durable-polymer sirolimus-eluting stents (DP-SES), durable-polymer zotarolimus-eluting stents (DP-ZES), durable-polymer everolimus-eluting stents (DP-EES) and biodegradable-polymer biolimus-eluting stent (BP-BES).

Mean patient age was 60.7±11.9 years; 22.7% were female and 16.1% were diabetic. Median symptom onset to balloon time was 210 min.

At a median follow-up of 3 years (interquartile range 2–4.9 years), patients treated with second-generation (DP-EES and BP-BES) or first-generation DES (DP-PES, DP-SES and DP-ZES) had significantly lower risk of the primary endpoint than patients treated with BMS (BMS vs. second-generation DES; HR 0.69, 95% CI 0.57–0.82, BMS vs. first-generation DES; HR 0.70, 95% CI 0.61–0.80). The differences were driven by the significant reduction of TLR associated with first- and second-generation DES compared with BMS. A trend towards lower risk of MI with second-generation DES compared with BMS or first-generation DES was observed (BMS vs. second-generation DES; HR 0.79, 95% CI 0.58–1.06, first- vs. second-generation DES; HR 0.75, 95% CI 0.54–1.03). Second-generation DES was associated with a significantly lower risk of definite or probable stent thrombosis compared with BMS (HR 0.62, 95% 0.40–0.97) and first-generation DES (HR 0.55, 95% CI 0.34–0.91). DP-EES and BP-BES had a similar risk of the primary endpoint, individual components of the primary endpoint, and definite or probable stent thrombosis.

Conclusions

In this larger-scale IPD NMA in STEMI patients, second-generation DES were superior to BMS with respect to long-term efficacy and safety outcomes. Second-generation DES were associated with a significant reduction of stent thrombosis compared with BMS and first-generation DES. Similar long-term outcomes were observed between DP-EES and BP-BES.

Acknowledgement/Funding

This study was funded by Biosensors International

121Clinical impact of residual SYNTAX score after physiology guided state-of-art PCI in 3VD: insight from the SYNTAX II trial

Background

The clinical implication of residual SYNTAX score in patients treated with state-of- art PCI including hybrid iFR-FFR for three vessel disease is undetermined.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical impact of residual SYNTAX Score (rSS) after hybrid iFR-FFR guided state-of-art PCI in patients with three vessel disease (3VD).

Methods

The SYNTAX-II study was a multicentre, single arm study that investigated the impact of the state-of-art PCI strategy on clinical outcomes in 454 patients with de novo 3VD, without left main disease. All the patients treated with the state-of-art PCI in the SYNTAX II trial were retrospectively screened and analysed for rSS. The rSS was defined as the SYNTAX Score (SS) recalculated after PCI. The state-of-art PCI strategy included: heart team decision-making utilizing the SYNTAX score II, hybrid iFR-FFR decision-making strategy, intravascular ultrasound guided stent implantation, contemporary chronic total occlusion revascularization techniques and guideline-directed medical therapy. The primary endpoint of this substudy was major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE – a composite of all-cause death, any stroke, myocardial infarction, or revascularization) at 2 years. Patients with rSS were stratified according to angiographically complete revascularization (rSS of 0) and previously proposed rSS cut-off value of 8 (>0 to 8, and >8).

Results

A total of 454 patients were screened and rSS were analysable in 441 patients (97.1%). Before PCI, anatomical SS was 20.3±6.4 which was after PCI reduced to 3.9±4.5 (rSS). Only 67 patients (15.2%) had rSS >8 (mean 12.3±4.1). Two-year MACCE occurred in 58 patients (13.2%). Patients with MACCE had similar rSS to those without MACCE (2.0 (IQR: 0.0 to 6.0) vs. 2.0 (IQR: 0.0 to 5.0), p=0.313). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed similar 2- year incidence of MACCE with rSS stratifications (rSS of 0 (n=140): 15.0%, >0 to 8 (n=234): 12.0%, >8 (n=67): 13.4%, log-rank p for overall = 0.703).

Conclusion

After hybrid iFR-FFR guided state-of-art PCI in 3VD, residual SYNTAX Score was very low, suggesting that complete or reasonable incomplete revascularization was achieved in majority of cases. Previously proposed rSS cut-off value of 8 was not associated with a worse clinical outcome.

Acknowledgement/Funding

European Cardiovascular Research Institute (ECRI) with unrestricted research grants from Volcano and Boston Scientific

P6408Potential benefit of ticagrelor monotherapy for patients with hypertension undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: insights from the Global Leaders trial

Background

Hypertension is one of the most frequent modifiable risk factors for coronary artery disease. Due to the increased risk of bleeding associated with it, hypertensive patients might benefit from an antiplatelet monotherapy following percutaneous coronary intervention.

Purpose

We sought to investigate the effect of 1-month DAPT followed by 23-month ticagrelor monotherapy (ticagrelor monotherapy) compared with the reference arm, 12-month DAPT followed by 12-month aspirin monotherapy (standard DAPT), on clinical outcomes in patients with hypertension undergoing PCI.

Methods

This is a post-hoc analysis of the prospective, multi-center, open-label, all-comers, randomized controlled trial Global Leaders, that tested ticagrelor monotherapy versus standard DAPT in patients receiving PCI with biolimus A9-eluting stent. Patients were stratified by the hypertension status. The primary endpoint for the present analysis was the patient oriented composite endpoint (POCE - defined as composite of all-cause death, any stroke, any MI, or all revascularization) and safety endpoint of BARC type 3 or 5 bleeding, both at 2 years. Event rates are presented as Kaplan-Meier estimates (%).

Results

In Global Leaders 15,991 patients were randomized, 23 (0.14%) requested complete deletion of their data from the database and 54 (0.34%) had no information on hypertension status. Of the 15,914 (99.52%) included in the analysis 11,715 were hypertensive. In the non-hypertensive patients, comparing ticagrelor monotherapy with standard DAPT, no difference was found regarding POCE (12.17% vs. 12.13%, HR 1.004, 95% CI 0.843 to 1.195, p=0.965) nor bleeding (1.71% vs. 1.72%, HR 1.0, 95% CI 0.628 to 1.592, p=1.0, respectively). In hypertensive patients the experimental treatment of ticagrelor monotherapy resulted in less POCE (13.62% vs. 15.04%, HR 0.898, 95% CI 0.816 to 0.988, p=0.028, p for interaction=0.271) with similar bleeding (2.21% vs. 2.26%, HR 0.976, 95% CI 0.765 to 1.246, p=0.846), compared with the standard DAPT at 2 years.

Conclusion

In this sub-group analysis of Global Leaders, in patients with hypertension undergoing PCI the experimental treatment of 1-month DAPT followed by 23-month ticagrelor monotherapy may offer ischemic protection without increasing bleeding. The results must be interpreted cautiously as there was no interaction between treatment strategy and the status of hypertension. Thus, the present results are hypothesis generating.

Acknowledgement/Funding

ECRI - Astra Zeneca - Biosensors - Medicine Company

126Clinical outcomes at two years of the Absorb BRS vs. the Xience metallic DES in patients presenting with ACS vs. stable coronary disease - AIDA trial substudy

Methods and results

This analysis includes the 2-year outcomes of all 1845 patients randomized in the AIDA trial subdivided by clinical presentation, a pre-specified subgroup analysis. We compared patients presenting with ACS with those presenting without ACS (ACS versus no-ACS patients). Patients presenting with ACS were further sub-categorized according to the presence or absence of ST-segment elevation at presentation (STE-ACS versus NSTE-ACS patients). Baseline status by clinical presentation was known in all patients, and 842 (45.6%) patients presented with ACS, 456 (25.2%) with STE-ACS and 377 (20.4%) with NSTE-ACS.The rate of the 2-year primary endpoint of target vessel failure (TVF) was similar after treatment with Absorb BVS or Xience EES in ACS patients (10.2% versus 9.0% respectively; p=0.49) and in no-ACS patients (11.7% versus 10.7% respectively; p=0.67) Definite or probable device thrombosis occurred more frequently with Absorb BVS compared to Xience EES in ACS patients (4.3% versus 1.7% respectively, p=0.03) as well as in no-ACS patients (2.4% versus 0.2% respectively; p=0.002). There were no statistically significant interactions between clinical presentation and randomized device modality for TVF (p=0.80) and for the endpoint of definite or probable device thrombosis (p=0.17).

Conclusions

In ACS patients within AIDA, we found no difference in rates of target vessel failure between the Absorb BVS and Xience EES groups. Rates of definite or definite/probable device thrombosis were higher in the Absorb BVS group throughout all clinical presentations. No significant interaction between ACS and no-ACS patients and the occurrence of TVF

Acknowledgement/Funding

The AIDA trial was financially supported by an unrestricted research grant from Abbott Vascular.

P2531Impact of age on clinical outcomes after PCI in patients with ACS and stable CAD treated with 23-month ticagrelor monotherapy following 1-month DAPT in the randomized GLOBAL LEADERS study

Background

The efficacy and safety of ticagrelor monotherapy in elderly patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute coronary syndromes (ACS) or stable coronary artery disease (CAD) has not been evaluated.

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ticagrelor monotherapy following 1-month dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after PCI in relation to age and clinical presentation in the GLOBAL LEADERS study cohort.

Methods

This is a subanalysis of the randomized multicentre GLOBAL LEADERS study, comparing the experimental strategy of 23-month ticagrelor monotherapy after 1 month of ticagrelor and aspirin with the reference strategy of 12-month DAPT followed by 12-month aspirin monotherapy in 15991 patients undergoing PCI. Patients were categorized into elderly and very elderly according to a pre-specified cut-off of 75 years and a post-hoc defined cut-off of 80 years. Impact of age and clinical presentation (ACS versus stable CAD) on clinical outcome at 2 years was evaluated. The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause mortality or nonfatal, centrally adjudicated, new Q-wave myocardial infarction.

Results

In the overall elderly (>75 years) population (n=2565), primary endpoint occurred in 7.2% of patients in the experimental group and in 9.4% of patients in the reference group (p=0.041) at 2 years (p int =0.23). Elderly patients in the experimental group had a lower rate of definite stent thrombosis (ST) (0.2% vs. 0.9%, p=0.043, p int=0.03), definite or probable ST (0.4 vs. 1.3%, p=0.015, p int=0.01) and a numerically higher rates of BARC 3 or 5 type bleeding (5.0% vs. 3.9%, p=0.192, p int=0.06), when compared to the reference arm.

Among elderly patients presenting with ACS both treatment groups did not differ in the rates of primary endpoint (9.1% vs. 10.8%, p=0.367) and BARC 3 or 5 type bleeding (4.7% vs. 5.7%, p=0.458), whereas among elderly patients with stable CAD the experimental strategy was associated with numerically lower rates of the primary endpoint (5.7% vs. 8.4%, p=0.046) (p int =0.42) and a higher rate of BARC 3 or 5 type bleedings (5.3% vs. 2.6%, p=0.012) (p int =0.02) at 2 years.

Exploratory analyses among very elderly (≥80 years) patients (n=1169) indicated no significant differences between treatment groups in the rates of the primary endpoint (10.2% vs. 11.7% p=0.411, p int=0.940) and BARC 3 or 5 type bleeding (6.0% vs. 5.3%, p=0.630, p int=0.514) at 2 years.

Conclusions

The efficacy and safety of the experimental treatment strategy of 23-month ticagrelor monotherapy after 1-month DAPT following PCI was not identified as age-dependent. Among elderly patients the anti-ischemic benefit was derived at the expense of increased rate of BARC 3 or 5 type bleeding in stable CAD subgroup, but not in ACS subgroup.

Acknowledgement/Funding

European Clinical Research Institute, which received unrestricted grants from Biosensors International, AstraZeneca, and the Medicines Company.

4181Prognosis of patients with mid-range left ventricular ejection fraction treated with PCI: insight from the global leaders study

Background

Heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction (left ventricular ejection fraction between 40 to 49%) was introduced in the 2016 European Society of Cardiology guidelines for heart failure. The prognosis of the mid-range of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was less well assessed in patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Purpose

We aimed to assess the 2-year outcomes of patients with mid-range ejection fraction (LVEF between 40 to 49%) after PCI compared with reduced LVEF (<40%) and preserved LVEF (≥50) in the GLOBAL LEADERS study.

Methods

The GLOBAL LEADERS study was a multicenter, randomized trial comparing the efficacy and safety of two antiplatelet strategies in all-comers patients undergoing PCI with biolimus-A9 eluting stent.

Patients with available information of LVEF were eligible in the present analysis. Patients were classified according to their LVEF into three groups; preserved (LVEF ≥50), mid-range (LVEF 40–49%) and reduced (LVEF <40%) left ventricular ejection fraction. Clinical outcomes at 2 years after PCI were compared among three groups in the multivariable Cox regression analysis.

The primary outcome of present study was all-cause mortality at 2 years after PCI. The secondary outcomes were patient-oriented composite endpoint (POCE). Individual components of the composite endpoint, definite or probable stent thrombosis and bleeding academic research consortium (BARC) type 3 or 5 were also reported.

Results

Out of 15968 patients included in the GLOBAL LEADERS study, information of LVEF was available in 15008 patients (93.99%); 12,128 patients (80.81%) were in the group of preserved LVEF, 1,737 patients (11.57%) were in the mid-range LVEF group and 1,143 patients (7.62%) were in the reduced LVEF group.

The risk of all-cause mortality and POCE at 2 years were significantly different among the three groups. In an adjusted model, compared with the group of preserved LVEF, the hazard ratio for the all-cause mortality at 2 years rose from 1.89 (95% CI, 1.46–2.45) to 3.72 (95% CI, 2.95–4.70) in the group of mid-range and reduced LVEF respectively. Similar rises were observed for the POCE at 2 years from 1.27 (95% CI, 1.11–1.44) in the group of mid-range LVEF to 1.63 (95% CI, 1.42–1.87) in the group of reduced LVEF.

The risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, and definite or probable stent thrombosis in patients with mid-range LVEF was not different from patients with reduced LVEF (see figure). A similar risk of revascularization was observed among the three groups.

Outcomes among three LVEF categories

Conclusion

Patients with mid-range LVEF undergoing PCI had a different prognosis from patients with reduced LVEF and preserved LVEF in term of survival and composite ischemic endpoints at 2 years.

P869Predictive value of the endothelial shear stress distribution in three-dimensional quantitative coronary angiography models in detecting vulnerable plaques

Background

Low Endothelial shear stress (ESS) is a well-known instigator of coronary atherosclerosis. Prospective intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-based imaging studies with computational fluid dynamic analysis revealed its predictive merit in-vivo. However, whether coronary modelling derived from quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) is equally effective in detecting high-risk plaques remains to be established.

Purpose

To examine the value of endothelial shear stress (ESS) estimated in three-dimensional (3D) QCA models in detecting plaques that are likely to progress and cause events.

Method

We analysed the baseline intravascular ultrasound virtual histology (IVUS-VH) and angiographic data from 28 non-culprit lesions with a vulnerable phenotype (i.e., fibroatheroma or thin cap fibroatheroma) that caused major adverse cardiac events or required revascularization (nc-MACE-R) at 5-year follow-up and from a control group of 119 vulnerable plaques that remained quiescent. The segments studied by IVUS-VH at baseline were reconstructed using 3D-QCA software and in the obtained geometries blood flow simulation was performed and we estimated the resting Pd/Pa across the vulnerable plaque and the mean ESS values in 3mm sub-segments. A propensity score was built by the baseline plaque characteristics and the hemodynamic indices and its efficacy in detecting nc-MACE-R lesions was examined.

Results

Nc-MACE-R lesions were longer (32.5mm [18.0, 41.6], vs. 19.6mm [12.7, 31.3], p=0.03), had smaller minimum lumen area (MLA) (3.65mm2 [3.26, 4.36] vs. 5.03mm2 [3.98, 6.66], p<0.01), increased plaque burden (PB) (69.4% [63.5, 72.0] vs. 60.8% [53.7, 66.5], p<0.01), were exposed to higher ESS (9.40Pa [6.3, 12.5] vs. 4.1Pa [3.0, 6.9], p<0.01), and exhibited a lower resting Pd/Pa (0.97 [0.95, 0.98] vs. 0.98 [0.97, 0.99], p<0.01]. In multivariable analysis the only independent predictor of nc-MACE-R was the maximum 3mm ESS value (hazard ratio: 1.08 [1.02, 1.16], P=0.016). Lesions exposed to high ESS (>4.95Pa) with a high-risk anatomy (MLA<4mm2and PB>70%) had a higher nc-MACE-R rate (53.8%) than those with a low-risk anatomy exposed to high ESS (31.6%) or those exposed to low ESS that had high (20.0%) or low-risk anatomy (7.1%, P<0.001).

Conclusion

In the present study, 3D-QCA-derived local hemodynamic variables provided useful prognostic information and in combination with lesion anatomy enabled more accurate identification of nc-MACE-R lesions. Further research in a larger number of patients is need to confirm these findings before the conduction of large scale prospective studies that will combine intravascular imaging and 3D-QCA modelling to more accurately detect vulnerable plaques.

P5629The effect of strut protrusion on local shear stress and neointimal hyperplasia

Objective

To evaluate effect of strut protrusion (SP) on wall shear stress (WSS) and neointimal growth (NG) 1 and 5 year after implantation of Absorb scaffold.

Method

8 patients were selected from Absorb Cohort B. After 3-dimensional reconstruction of coronaries, WSS was quantified using Newtonian steady flow simulation (Figure). At 1-year neointimal thickness (NT) was measured by optical coherence tomography and correlated to WSS and SP post-procedure.

Results

Median SP was 112.9 (90.8, 133.1) μm. A logarithmic (log) inverse relationship between SP and post-procedure WSS (r=−0.425 p<0.001 correlation coefficients range: −0.143 to −0.553) was observed whereas a correlation between baseline log transformed WSS and NT (r=−0.451 p<0.001 correlation coefficients range: −0.140 to −0.662) was documented at 1 year. Mixed effects analysis between baseline log transformed WSS and NT at follow up yielded a slope of 30 μm/ln Pascal (Pa) and a y-intercept of 98 μm. As result of NG, flow area decreased from 6.91 (6.53, 7.48) mm2 post-implantation to 5.65 (5.47, 6.02) mm2 at 1 year (p=0.01) and to 5.75±1.37 mm2 at 5 years (p=0.024). Vessel surface with low WSS (<1 Pa) decreased from post-procedure (42%) to 1 year (35.9%) and 5 years (15.2%) (p-overall<0.0001).

Conclusion

SP disturbs laminar flow, creates region of low WSS that is mechanistically associated with NG and lumen area reduction. This observation would suggest thin strut with effective embedment would reduce NG and improve WSS towards physiological values.

P2817Efficacy and safety of ticagrelor monotherapy in patients with complex percutaneous coronary intervention: insights from the Global Leaders trial

Background/Introduction

Purpose

Methods

The Global Leaders trial recruited 15,991 patients treated by default with a biolimus A9-eluting stent, and randomised in a 1:1 ratio either to the experimental strategy (1-month dual antiplatelet therapy [DAPT] followed by 23-month ticagrelor monotherapy) or to the reference regimen (12-month DAPT followed by 12-month aspirin monotherapy). Complex PCI includes at least one of the following characteristics; left main and/or multivessel PCI, long stenting (defined as total stent length≥46mm), and bifurcation treatment with two stents. The present sub-analysis of the trial evaluated at two years the primary endpoint (composite of all-cause death and new Q-wave myocardial infarction [MI] centrally adjudicated with the Minnesota code). In addition, the patient-oriented composite endpoint (POCE) (composite of all-cause death, any stroke, any MI, and any revascularization) and the net adverse clinical events (NACE) (composite of POCE and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium [BARC] type 3 or 5 bleeding) were also evaluated at two years.

Results

Of 15,450 patients included in the present analysis, 5,188 (26.7%) patients underwent complex PCI. The experimental strategy, when compared with the reference one, had a significantly lower risk of the primary endpoint (3.56% vs. 5.33%, HR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.51–0.86; p-value= 0.002; p-value for interaction= 0.019) in patients with complex PCI. Similarly, the experimental treatment was associated with a significantly reduced risk of POCE (14.41% vs. 16.88%, HR: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.74–0.97; p=0.016, p-value for interaction= 0.099) and NACE (15.77% vs. 18.37%, HR: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.74–0.97; p=0.014; p-value for interaction= 0.096). The reduction in ischemic events was predominantly observed in patients with 2 or more characteristics of complex PCI (Figure). In contrast, there was no significant difference in the risk of BARC type 3 or 5 bleeding between the two regimens (2.40% vs. 2.38%, HR: 1.01; 95% CI: 0.71–1.44; p-value=0.956; p-value for interaction= 0.935).

Central illustration

Conclusion

Together with other well-established clinical risk factors, the extent and complexity of stenting should be taken into account in tailoring antiplatelet regimens for secondary prevention. The 1-month DAPT followed by 23-month ticagrelor monotherapy reduced the ischemic events without increasing the risk of bleeding in patients who underwent complex PCI, when compared with the conventional DAPT.

Acknowledgement/Funding

The Global Leaders trial was supported by the resource from AstraZeneca, Biosensors, and The Medicines Company.

2213Impact of BMI on clinical outcomes in all-comers patients with coronary artery disease undergoing PCI: insights from the Global Leaders study

Background

It is uncertain if the obesity paradox still exists in contemporary PCI practice.

Purposes

We aimed to assess an association between baseline BMI and clinical outcomes at 2 years after PCI and to determine if the outcomes between two antiplatelet strategies depend on baseline BMI.

Methods

Global Leaders study compared 23-month ticagrelor monotherapy after 1 month of dual antiplatelet therapy (experimental strategy) with 12-month aspirin monotherapy after 12 months of conventional DAPT (reference strategy) in patients undergoing PCI with biolimus-A9 eluting stent.

Primary outcome of current study was 2-year all-cause mortality after PCI. Secondary outcomes were net adverse clinical event (NACE) and individual components of the composite endpoint.

Association between baseline BMI and outcomes were determined in the Cox model. Non-linearity was assessed using restrict cubic spline function. Patients were categorized according to WHO BMI categories; underweight (BMI <18.5), healthy weight (BMI 18.5–24.9), pre-obese state (BMI 25–29.9) and obesity (BMI ≥30). Interaction between BMI categories and antiplatelet strategies were assessed.

Results

BMI was available in 15,966 out of 15,968 patients with a median of 27.7 kg/m2 (IQR 25.0–30.7). Baseline BMI had a reverse J-shaped association with 2-year all-cause mortality. 3901 patients (24.4%) were in the group of healthy weight, 79 patients (0.5%) were under-weight, 7220 patients (45.2%) were pre-obese and 4766 patients (29.8%) were obese. Due to small number of underweight patients, outcomes after PCI were compared among three groups; healthy weight, overweight, and obesity.

Pre-obese and obese patients had lower risk of 2-year all-cause mortality than healthy-weight patients (HR pre-obesity vs. healthy-weight 0.71, 95% CI 0.58–0.88, HR obesity vs. healthy-weight 0.69, 95% CI 0.54–0.87). The risk of 2-year NACE was similar among three groups (healthy weight vs. pre-obesity; HR 1.04, 95% CI 0.94–1.16, healthy weight vs. obesity; HR 1.04, 95% CI 0.93–1.16). No significant difference in risk of any stroke, any MI, and BARC3 or 5 bleeding was found among three groups. Pre-obese patients had higher risk of revascularization than patients with healthy weight (HR 1.19, 95% CI 1.04–1.35). The risk of revascularization in obese patients was numerically higher than healthy-weight patients (HR 1.14, 95% CI 0.99–1.31).

For BARC 3 or 5 bleeding at 2 years, ticagrelor monotherapy was more favorable in obese patients (HR reference/experimental 1.63, 95% CI 1.06–2.52) while conventional DAPT strategy was more favorable in pre-obese patients (HR experimental/reference 0.76, 95% CI 0.55–1.05) (P interaction 0.02). No interaction between treatment strategy, BMI, and other outcomes was seen.

BMI and all-cause mortality and NACE

Conclusions

An obesity paradox, an association between elevated BMI and lower mortality, is still evident in this large PCI population. Effect of two antiplatelet strategies on bleeding may depend on baseline BMI.

P6411Dyspnea in ticagrelor treated patients in the all-comer randomized GLOBAL LEADERS study and its association with clinical outcomes

Background

Dyspnea represents a drug adverse effect reported with a higher frequency for ticagrelor, as compared with other P2Y12 antagonists. The impact of dyspnea on clinical outcomes has not been yet evaluated in the context of aspirin-free therapies after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Purpose

The study aimed to evaluate the incidence of dyspnea and its associations with demographic characteristics and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing PCI treated with ticagrelor either as monotherapy or as a part of a dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) in the GLOBAL LEADERS cohort.

Methods

This is a sub-analysis of the randomized all-comer GLOBAL LEADERS study (n=15991), comparing the experimental strategy of ticagrelor monotherapy following one-month DAPT after PCI with the reference strategy of 12-month DAPT followed by 12-month aspirin monotherapy. The incidence of dyspnea reported as adverse event (AE) and its relation to demographic characteristics and 2-year clinical outcomes was evaluated (intention-to-treat analysis). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were performed, including randomized treatment and incidence of first dyspnea event as a time-dependent covariate. The primary endpoint was a composite of 2-year all-cause mortality or centrally adjudicated, new Q-wave myocardial infarction (MI). Patient-oriented clinical endpoints (POCE) comprised all-cause death, any stroke, MI or revascularization, whereas net adverse clinical events (NACE) included POCE and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC)-defined bleeding type 3 or 5.

Results

Overall, dyspnea was reported as an AE in 2101 patients (13.2%) up to two years of follow-up, with a higher frequency in the experimental arm (16.4%) as compared with the reference group (11.1%) (hazard ratio [HR]1.70, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.56–1.86, p=0.001).

Predictors of dyspnea AE up to 2 years by multivariate analyses were: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (HR1.71, 95% CI 1.56–1.87, p=0.001), female gender (HR1.31, 95% CI 1.18–1.44, p=0.001), hypertension (HR1.31, 95% CI 1.19–1.44, p=0.001, prior coronary artery bypass grafting (HR1.30, 95% CI 1.10–1.54, p=0.003), left ventricle ejection fraction below 40% (HR1.22, 95% CI 1.04–1.42, p=0.012), presentation with acute coronary syndrome (HR1.19, 95% CI 1.09–1.29, p=0.001) and body mass index (≥27kg/m2) (HR1.17, 95% CI 1.08–1.28, p=0.001).

In patients who reported dyspnea AE, the two-year rates of the efficacy and safety endpoints in the experimental and reference arm were: for the primary endpoint 3.4% vs. 4.3% (p adjusted=0.807), for POCE 15.8% vs. 17.6% (p adjusted=0.218), for NACE 17.2% vs. 19.6% (p adjusted=0.082), for BARC 3 or 5 type bleeding 17.2% vs. 19.6% (p adjusted=0.082), respectively.

Conclusions

The occurrence of dyspnea AE up to two years after PCI appeared not to affect the safety of the experimental treatment strategy of 23-month ticagrelor monotherapy following one-month DAPT after PCI.

Acknowledgement/Funding

Study founded by European Cardiovascular Research Institute, which received unrestricted grants from Biosensors Int., AstraZeneca, Medicines Company.

P2695ABSORB bioresorbable scaffold versus Xience metallic stent in acute coronary syndromes with treated with percutaneous coronary intervention. A subanalysis of the COMPARE-ABSORB trial

Background

The safety and efficacy of the ABSORB scaffold in ACS patients remain unclear. The COMPARE-ABSORB trial compares the ABSORB to the Xience stent in lesions and patients at high risk for restenosis Patients with STEMI and urgent PCI for non-STEMI were not excluded.

Methods

Patients included in the COMPARE-ABSORB trial undergoing PCI for ACS were eligible. Predefined implantation techniques for ABSORB was mandatory. Primary endpoint is target lesion failure (TLF) at 1 year, defined as a composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction and clinically indicated target lesion revascularization.

Results

Of 1670 patients, 842 were treated for ACS. At 1-year, TLF occurred in 22 patients (5.0%) of the ABSORB group and in 14 patients (3.5%) of the Xience group (HR 1.44%; 95% CI 0.74%-2.82%, P=0.284). Definite device thrombosis occurred in 9 patients (2.0%) of the ABSORB group and in 2 patients (0.5%) of the Xience group (HR 4.10%; 95% CI 0.89%-18.9%, P=0.071).

Baseline characteristics ABSORB (n=442) XIENCE (n=400) Age, years (SD) 60.7 (9.6) 61.3 (9.1) Male 350/442 (79.2%) 313/400 (78.3%) Current smoker 159/439 (36.2%) 126/397 (31.7%) Diabetes mellitus 152/440 (34.5%) 138/399 (34.6%) Hypertension 298/442 (67.4%) 266/400 (66.5%) Hypercholesterolemia 255/442 (57.7%) 232/400 (58.0%) Family history of coronary artery disease 147/442 (33.3%) 103/400 (25.8%) Previous MI 61/442 (13.8%) 67/400 (16.8%) Established Peripheral Vascular Disease 27/442 (6.1%) 15/400 (3.8%) Previous PCI 83/442 (18.8%) 86/400 (21.5%) Previous CABG 1/442 (0.2%) 4/400 (1.0%) Previous stroke 15/442 (3.4%) 21/400 (5.3%) Renal Insufficiency 9/442 (2.0%) 13/400 (3.3%) Clinical presentation   Unstable angina 149/442 (33.7%) 141/400 (35.3%)   Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction 183/442 (41.4%) 156/400 (39.0%)   ST elevation myocardial infarction 110/442 (24.9%) 103/400 (25.7%)

KM plot for target lesion failure

Conclusion

The COMPARE-ABSORB trial showed no difference in the primary endpoint at one year for the ACS subgroup. The signal for increased thrombosis remained, even with the optimized implantation protocol

Acknowledgement/Funding

Maasstad Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands

P1952Value of GRACE risk score in risk stratification in acute coronary syndrome patients undergoing PCI in the Global Leaders study

Aims

We sought to evaluate the value of GRACE risk score in stratifying acute coronary syndrome patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention in the Global Leaders study.

Methods

Global Leaders study was a prospective, multi-center, open-label, all-comers, randomized controlled trial comparing ticagrelor monotherapy after 1 month of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) as experimental therapy with aspirin monotherapy after 12 months of conventional DAPT (reference therapy) in patients who received PCI with biolimus-A9 eluting stent. We assessed the predictive value of GRACE risk score in ACS patients undergoing PCI in the present analysis. Patients were stratified according to GRACE risk score into low (1–108), moderate (109–140), High (141–372) risk group. Clinical outcomes at 2 years after PCI were assessed and compared among risk groups. Interaction between GRACE risk score and antiplatelet regimen were analyzed by the interaction term in Cox model.

Results

GRACE risk score was calculated from 8 clinical parameters at presentation. Among ACS patients, 1664 patients were categorized in low risk group, 2903 patients were in moderate risk group, and 2028 patients were in high risk group. The rate of all-cause mortality, any stroke, patient-oriented composite endpoint (POCE) were highest in the high-risk group at 2 years (All-cause mortality; low risk 1.4%, moderate risk 2.5%, high risk 6.1%, log rank test p value <0.0001, any stroke; low risk 0.7%, moderate risk 1.0%, high risk 2.0%, log rank test p value 0.001, POCE; low risk 12.4%, moderate risk 11.9%, high risk 16.61%, log rank test p value <0.0001). The rate of myocardial infarction, all revascularization and definite or probable stent thrombosis were not different among three groups. There was no interaction between GRACE risk score and treatment regimen on clinical outcomes at 2 years.

Conclusion

GRACE risk score is valuable in identifying ACS patients with highest risk of all-cause mortality, any stroke and POCE at 2 years after PCI. In ACS, ticagrelor monotherapy did not improve the outcomes at 2 years in the three strata of the GRACE risk score.

3331Impact of baseline hemoglobin level and white blood cell count in real-world patients undergoing contemporary percutaneous coronary intervention: insights from the GLOBAL LEADER study

Introduction

The impact of hemoglobin (Hb) level and white blood cell count (WBC) on the outcomes in all-comers PCI patients is unknown.

Purpose

We sought to assess the association between baseline Hb level, WBC count on 2-year outcomes after PCI in all-comers patients in the GLOBAL LEADERS study. We compared the outcomes between anemic and non-anemic patients according to WHO definition.

Methods

GLOBAL LEADERS study assessed the efficacy and safety of two antiplatelet strategies in 15,991 patients undergoing PCI. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality or new Q wave myocardial infarction (MI) at 2 years. Secondary safety endpoint was BARC 3 or 5 bleeding at 2 years.

The association between WBC count, Hb level and outcomes at 2 years were assessed in the multivariable Cox model adjusted for age, diabetes, ejection fraction and renal impairment. For Hb level, patients were categorized according to the WHO definition of anemia (Hb <12 g/dL in women, Hb <13 g/dL in men).

Results

Of 15991 patients randomized in the GLOBAL LEADER study, baseline WBC count and Hb levels were available in 14960 (93.7%) patients and 15215 (95.3%) patients, respectively.

Hb level had an inverse association with adverse events after PCI. In the multivariable Cox model, Hb level was an independent predictor for ischemic and bleeding outcomes at 2 years while the WBC count was not (see table).

Compared with non-anemic patients, anemic patients had significantly higher risk of primary endpoint (adjusted HR 2.07, 95% CI 1.72–2.49), BARC 3 or 5 bleeding (adjusted HR 1.49 95% CI 1.14–1.96), all-cause mortality (adjusted HR 2.33, 95% CI 1.89–2.86), any MI (adjusted HR 1.41, 95% CI 1.11–1.80), and any revascularization (adjusted HR 1.20, 95% CI 1.03–1.39).

Hb level, WBC count and 2-year outcomes Outcomes at 2 years Hemoglobin level (mg/dL) WBC count (109/L) HR (95% CI) P value HR (95% CI) P value All-cause mortality or new Q wave MI 0.87 (0.82–0.91) <0.0001 1.00 (0.999–1.002) 0.33 All-cause mortality 0.82 (0.78–0.87) <0.0001 1.00 (0.999–1.002) 0.37 Any myocardial infarction 0.93 (0.87–0.99) 0.0165 1.00 (0.996–1.001) 0.23 Any revascularization 0.96 (0.93–1.00) 0.0302 1.00 (1.00–1.001) 0.25 BARC 3 or 5 bleeding 0.85 (0.79–0.91) <0.0001 1.00 (0.997–1.002) 0.76

Conclusion

In the all-comers patients undergoing PCI, the baseline Hb level was significantly associated with the ischemic and bleeding outcomes at 2 years whereas baseline WBC count was not. Baseline WBC count may not be useful as a prognostic factor after PCI.

P2811Impact of ticagrelor monotherapy on two-year clinical outcomes in patients with long stenting: insights from the Global Leaders trial

Background/Introduction

Data on the efficacy and safety of different antiplatelet regimens are limited in patients with increasing total stent length (TSL).

Purpose

To evaluate the impact of the experimental strategy (1-month dual antiplatelet therapy [DAPT] followed by 23-month ticagrelor monotherapy) vs. the reference regimen (12-month DAPT followed by 12-month aspirin monotherapy) in patients with increasing TSL.

Methods

The present post-hoc analysis of the Global Leaders trial evaluated the primary endpoint (the composite of the all-cause death and new Q-wave myocardial infarction [MI]) at two years in patients with increasing TSL. In addition, the patient-oriented composite endpoint (POCE) (the composite of all-cause death, any stroke, any MI, and any revascularization) and the net adverse clinical events (NACE) (the composite of POCE and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium [BARC] type 3 or 5 bleeding) were also assessed.

Results

The cohort of 15,450 patients treated with a biolimus-eluting biodegradable polymer stents were included in this analysis. In the longer TSL group (≥46mm), the experimental strategy significantly reduced the risk of the primary endpoint (3.78% vs. 5.68%, hazard ratio (HR): 0.67, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.49–0.90, p=0.008, P interaction=0.042) as well as POCE (14.57% vs. 18.11%, HR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.67–0.92, p=0.003, P interaction=0.010) and NACE (16.07% vs. 19.64%, HR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.69–0.93, p=0.004, P interaction=0.012) at two years. The risk of BARC type 3 or 5 bleeding at two years was similar between the two antiplatelet regimens.

KM in patients with long stenting

Conclusion

Ticagrelor monotherapy significantly reduced the risk of the primary endpoint, POCE and NACE with a similar risk of BARC type 3 or 5 bleeding at two years in patients with the longer TSL.

Acknowledgement/Funding

The Global Leaders trial was supported by unrestricted grants from AstraZeneca, Biosensors, and The Medicines Company. ECRI (European Cardiovascular R

5194Impact of established cardiovascular disease on outcomes in the Global Leaders trial

Objectives

To investigate the impact of ticagrelor monotherapy following one-month dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) on clinical outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with established cardiovascular disease (CVD) who were enrolled in the Global Leaders Trial.

Background

The impact of prolonged monotherapy with P2Y12 inhibitors after PCI in patients with CVD is undetermined.

Methods

GLOBAL LEADERS was a randomized, superiority, all-comers trial comparing one-month DAPT with ticagrelor and aspirin followed by 23-month ticagrelor monotherapy (experimental treatment) with standard 12-month DAPT followed by 12-month aspirin monotherapy (reference treatment) in patients treated with a biolimus A9-eluting stent. The cohort was stratified according to those with- and without established CVD, defined as a history of ≥1 prior myocardial infarction (MI), PCI, coronary artery bypass operation, stroke or peripheral vascular disease. The degree of CVD was defined according to the number of vascular territories effected (1, 2, ≥3). The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause death or new Q-wave MI at 2-years. Secondary endpoints were the patient orientated composite endpoint (POCE) of death, stroke, MI and any revascularization; definite stent thrombosis and net adverse cardiovascular events a composite of POCE and BARC 3 or 5 bleeding.

Results

Amongst the 15,761 patients included in this cohort were 6693 patients (42.5%) with- and 9068 patients without established CVD. Patients with CVD were older, and had significantly higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolaemia (P<0.01). The incidence of the primary endpoint was significantly higher in patients with established CVD (5.1% vs. 3.3%, P<0.001) as were all secondary endpoints and their individual components. There was a trend for a reduction in the primary endpoint in patients with established CVD receiving the experimental treatment (4.6% vs. 5.6%, HR0.82 [0.66–1.02], p=0.07), which was not seen in those without prior CVD (3.2% vs. 3.3%, HR 0.95 [0.76–1.19, p=0.66; p(interaction)=0.37).

Compared with patients without CVD the incidence of the primary and second endpoints and all their individual components, other than BARC 3/5 bleeding, rose significantly with an increasing degree of CVD.

In an unadjusted model, compared with patients without CVD, the hazard ratio for the primary endpoint rose from 1.5 (1.21–1.81) to 3.0 (2.32–4.00) in patients with one and three territories of CVD, respectively. Similar rises were seen in models adjusted by age (1.3 [1.01–1.60] to 2.56 [1.94–3.38]) and age, left ventricular ejection fraction, clinical presentation and anti-platelet strategy (1.4 [1.10–1.68] to 2.26 [1.69–3.02]).

Conclusions

PCI outcomes are poorer in patients with increasing degrees of CVD compared to those without. Prolonged monotherapy with ticagrelor does not mitigate this risk suggesting a greater need to focus on modifiable risk factors

P2812Ischemic efficacy and bleeding safety of ticagrelor monotherapy in patients with multivessel percutaneous coronary intervention: insights from the Global Leaders trial

Background/Introduction

The optimal duration of DAPT after coronary stent implantation remains a matter of debate and a novel antiplatelet regimen without an increased risk of bleeding while maintaining an anti-ischemic efficacy is of paramount importance in patients at higher risk of ischemia.

Purpose

The aim of the present sub-study of the Global Leaders trial is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the experimental antiplatelet strategy (1-month dual antiplatelet therapy [DAPT] followed by 23-month ticagrelor monotherapy) vs. the reference regimen (12-month DAPT followed by 12-month aspirin monotherapy) in patients with multivessel percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods

The Global Leaders trial enrolled 15,991 patients treated by default with a biolimus A-9 eluting stent. The present sub-study of the trial sought to evaluate the impact of the long-term ticagrelor monotherapy on the primary endpoint (composite of all-cause death and new Q-wave myocardial infarction [MI] centrally adjudicated with the Minnesota code) at two years. In addition, the patient-oriented composite endpoint (POCE) (composite of all-cause death, any stroke, any MI, and any revascularization) and the net adverse clinical events (NACE) (composite of POCE and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium [BARC] type 3 or 5 bleeding) were also evaluated at two years.

Results

A total of 15,845 patients was included in this analysis, of whom 3,576 patients received multivessel PCI. At two years, the experimental strategy significantly reduced a risk of the primary endpoint (the composite of all-cause death and new Q-wave myocardial infarction [MI]) (3.05% vs. 4.85%, HR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.44–0.88, p=0.006, Pinteraction=0.031) in patients with multivessel PCI. Similarly, the experimental treatment had a significant risk reduction in the patient-oriented composite endpoint (POCE), defined as the composite of all-cause death, any stroke, any MI, and any revascularization (13.37% vs. 16.74%, HR: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.66–0.93, p=0.005, Pinteraction=0.020) and the net adverse clinical events (NACE), defined as the composite of POCE and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium [BARC] defined bleeding type 3 or 5 (14.65% vs. 18.38%, HR: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.66–0.92, p=0.003, Pinteraction=0.014) at two years. There was no significant difference in BARC type 3 or 5 bleeding (2.44% vs. 2.65%, HR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.61–1.39, p=0.685, Pinteraction=0.754) at two years between the two regimens.

KM in patients with multivessel PCI

Conclusion

The present study has demonstrated the experimental antiplatelet strategy, when compared with the reference regimen, could potentially have a favourable balance between ischemic efficacy and bleeding safety in patients who underwent multivessel PCI.

Acknowledgement/Funding

The Global Leaders trial was supported by unrestricted grants from AstraZeneca, Biosensors, and The Medicines Company. ECRI (European Cardiovascular R