Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Discontinuation,Platelet Reactivity,and Adverse Outcomes After Successful Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to assess the extent to which the association between premature dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) discontinuation and excess risk of thrombotic events varies according to the reason and timing of DAPT discontinuation and whether high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HPR) influences the risk of thrombotic events after premature DAPT discontinuation.BackgroundDAPT after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) suppresses platelet reactivity, and HPR on clopidogrel after PCI is associated with an increased risk of thrombotic events.MethodsADAPT-DES (Assessment of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy With Drug-Eluting Stents) was a prospective, multicenter registry of 8,582 patients successfully treated with coronary drug-eluting stents that assessed HPR on clopidogrel. For patients who discontinued aspirin or clopidogrel at any time during the study, the reasons for discontinuation were systematically categorized.ResultsPlanned DAPT discontinuation occurred within 2 years in 3,203 (37.3%) patients. One thousand four hundred eighteen (16.5%) patients discontinued DAPT for unplanned reasons, including surgery or trauma (n = 768 [8.9%]), patient nonadherence (n = 321 [3.7%]), bleeding complications (n = 264 [3.1%]), and drug allergy or hypersensitivity (n = 113 [1.3%]). Unplanned but not planned DAPT discontinuation was associated with an increased risk of a major adverse cardiac event (MACE, defined as the composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or stent thrombosis); with highest risk within 3 months after PCI (adjusted HR: 7.65, 95% CI: 2.77-21.10 vs adjusted HR: 2.47, 95% CI: 1.70-3.58 for unplanned DAPT discontinuation ≥3 months after PCI). MACE risk after DAPT discontinuation was not moderated by HPR (P_interaction = 0.91).ConclusionsIn this large-scale all-comers registry, premature DAPT discontinuation for unplanned reasons occurred in approximately 1 of 6 patients after DES implantation and was associated with a markedly increased risk of MACEs. (Assessment of Dual AntiPlatelet Therapy With Drug Eluting Stents [ADAPT-DES]; NCT00638794)     

Association of Residual Ischemic Disease With Clinical Outcomes After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

BackgroundAnatomical scoring systems have been used to assess completeness of revascularization but are challenging to apply to large real-world datasets.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of complete revascularization and its association with longitudinal clinical outcomes in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system using an automatically computed anatomic complexity score.MethodsPatients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between October 1, 2007, and September 30, 2020, were identified, and the burden of prerevascularization and postrevascularization ischemic disease was quantified using the VA SYNTAX (Synergy Between PCI With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery) score. The association between residual VA SYNTAX score and long-term major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE; death, myocardial infarction, repeat revascularization, and stroke) was assessed.ResultsA total of 57,476 veterans underwent PCI during the study period. After adjustment, the highest tertile of residual VA SYNTAX score was associated with increased hazard of MACE (HR: 2.06; 95% CI: 1.98-2.15) and death (HR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.41-1.59) at 3 years compared to complete revascularization (residual VA SYNTAX score = 0). Hazard of 1- and 3-year MACE increased as a function of residual disease, regardless of baseline disease severity or initial presentation with acute or chronic coronary syndrome.ConclusionsResidual ischemic disease was strongly associated with long-term clinical outcomes in a contemporary national cohort of PCI patients. Automatically computed anatomic complexity scores can be used to assess the longitudinal risk for residual ischemic disease after PCI and may be implemented to improve interventional quality.     

Impact of Coronary Artery Disease on Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Edge-to-Edge Repair

ObjectivesThe aim of this observational study was to evaluate the impact of concomitant coronary artery disease (CAD) on outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous valve repair with the MitraClip system.BackgroundMitral valve regurgitation and CAD are often coexistent in elderly patients undergoing percutaneous mitral valve repair. The impact of CAD and revascularization on outcomes in this patient cohort, however, remains uncertain.MethodsIn 444 MitraClip patients, CAD severity was assessed, represented by the SYNTAX (Synergy Between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery) score (SS), as well as the residual SS (rSS) and SYNTAX score II (SS-II). Patients were stratified according to CAD severity and SS-II values (SS ≤3 vs. SS >3 and SS-II ≤45 vs. SS-II >45) and according to remaining CAD burden into 2 groups (rSS = 0 vs. rSS >0) to compare 1-year all-cause mortality.ResultsHigher SS, rSS, and SS-II were associated with mortality (22% for SS >3 vs. 9.6% for SS ≤3 [p < 0.001], 31.4% for rSS >0 vs. 9.6% for rSS = 0 [p < 0.001], and 17.1% for SS-II > 45 vs. 11.2% for SS-II ≤45 [p = 0.044]). The rSS was an independent predictor of 1-year all-cause mortality (p = 0.001) in multivariate analysis.ConclusionsThe complexity of CAD, as assessed using the SS, is associated with outcomes in patients undergoing MitraClip procedures. The burden of residual CAD after percutaneous coronary intervention is an independent predictor of 1-year all-cause mortality. Patients undergoing complete revascularization had the most favorable outcomes independent of mitral regurgitation etiology.     

Ischemic Burden Reduction and Long-Term Clinical Outcomes After Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

ObjectivesThe authors sought to evaluate the impact of ischemic burden reduction after chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on long-term prognosis and cardiac symptom relief.BackgroundThe clinical benefit of CTO PCI is questioned.MethodsIn a high-volume CTO PCI center, 212 patients prospectively underwent quantitative [¹⁵O]H₂O positron emission tomography perfusion imaging before and three months after successful CTO PCI between 2013-2019. Perfusion defects (PD) (in segments) and hyperemic myocardial blood flow (hMBF) (in ml · min^?1 · g^?1) allocated to CTO areas were related to prognostic outcomes using unadjusted (Kaplan-Meier curves, log-rank test) and risk-adjusted (multivariable Cox regression) analyses. The prognostic endpoint was a composite of all-cause death and nonfatal myocardial infarction.ResultsAfter a median [interquartile range] of 2.8 years [1.8 to 4.3 years], event-free survival was superior in patients with ≥3 versus <3 segment PD reduction (p < 0.01; risk-adjusted p = 0.04; hazard ratio [HR]: 0.34 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.13 to 0.93]) and with hMBF increase above (Δ≥1.11 ml · min^?1 · g^?1) versus below the population median (p < 0.01; risk-adjusted p < 0.01; HR: 0.16 [95% CI: 0.05 to 0.54]) after CTO PCI. Furthermore, event-free survival was superior in patients without versus any residual PD (p < 0.01; risk-adjusted p = 0.02; HR: 0.22 [95% CI: 0.06 to 0.76]) or with a residual hMBF level >2.3 versus ≤2.3 ml · min^?1 · g^?1 (p < 0.01; risk-adjusted p = 0.03; HR: 0.25 [95% CI: 0.07 to 0.91]) at follow-up positron emission tomography. Patients with residual hMBF >2.3 ml · min^?1 · g^?1 were more frequently free of angina and dyspnea on exertion at long-term follow-up (p = 0.04).ConclusionsPatients with extensive ischemic burden reduction and no residual ischemia after CTO PCI had lower rates of all-cause death and nonfatal myocardial infarction. Long-term cardiac symptom relief was associated with normalization of hMBF levels after CTO PCI.     

Comparative Outcomes After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Unconscious and Conscious Patients With Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

BackgroundUp to 70% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients have a relevant coronary stenosis which may need revascularization. The short- and long-term ischemic and bleeding risk of unconscious and conscious OHCA patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is largely unknown.ObjectivesThis study sought to compare the occurrence of 1-year outcomes after PCI between OHCA patients, stratified on the basis of state of consciousness, with patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) not preceded by OHCA.MethodsThe study assessed the unadjusted and adjusted risk of cardiovascular events in a prospective single-center cohort of 9,303 consecutive PCI patients.ResultsAt 1 year, all-cause mortality was higher in unconscious (49.5%) but not in conscious OHCA (8.9%) patients than in ACS patients (8.0%), and both unconscious and conscious OHCA patients were more likely than ACS patients to experience definite stent thrombosis (4.4% and 3.5% vs 1.3%) and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium 3 or 5 bleeding (17.8% and 9.0% vs 5.1%). The higher hazards were largely determined by events occurring in the first 30 days. After multivariable adjustment, only unconscious OHCA patients remained at increased risk of death (adjusted HR: 3.27; 95% CI: 2.65-4.05), definite stent thrombosis (adjusted HR: 2.40; 95% CI: 1.30-4.43), and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium 3 or 5 bleeding (adjusted HR: 2.51; 95% CI: 1.82-3.47) at 1 year.ConclusionsAt 1 year after PCI, unconscious OHCA patients were at higher risk of death, definite stent thrombosis, and bleeding, while conscious OHCA patients had similar hazards compared with an all-comer ACS population without OHCA. Dedicated PCI strategies for OHCA patients taking into account their state of consciousness after resuscitation are warranted.     

Blinded Physiological Assessment of Residual Ischemia After Successful Angiographic Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: The DEFINE PCI Study

ObjectivesThis study sought to evaluate the incidence and causes of an abnormal instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR) after angiographically successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).BackgroundImpaired coronary physiology as assessed by fractional flow reserve is present in some patients after PCI and is prognostically relevant.MethodsDEFINE PCI (Physiologic Assessment of Coronary Stenosis Following PCI) was a multicenter, prospective, observational study in which a blinded iFR pull back was performed after angiographically successful PCI in 562 vessels in 500 patients. Inclusion criteria were angina with either multivessel or multilesion coronary artery disease with an abnormal baseline iFR. The primary endpoint of the study was the rate of residual ischemia after operator-assessed angiographically successful PCI, defined as an iFR <0.90. The causes of impaired iFR were categorized as stent related, untreated proximal or distal focal stenosis, or diffuse atherosclerosis.ResultsAn average of 1.1 vessels per patient had abnormal baseline iFRs, with a mean value of 0.69 ± 0.22, which improved to 0.93 ± 0.07 post-PCI. Residual ischemia after angiographically successful PCI was present in 112 patients (24.0%), with a mean iFR in that population of 0.84 ± 0.06 (range 0.60 to 0.89). Among patients with impaired post-PCI iFRs, 81.6% had untreated focal stenoses that were angiographically inapparent, and 18.4% had diffuse disease. Among the focal lesions, 38.4% were located within the stent segment, while 31.5% were proximal and 30.1% were distal to the stent. Post-PCI vessel angiographic diameter stenosis was not a predictor of impaired post-procedural iFR.ConclusionsBlinded post-PCI physiological assessment detected residual ischemia in nearly 1 in 4 patients after coronary stenting despite an operator-determined angiographically successful result. Most cases of residual ischemia were due to inapparent focal lesions potentially amenable to treatment with additional PCI. (Physiologic Assessment of Coronary Stenosis Following PCI [DEFINE PCI]; NCT03084367)     

Long-Term Outcomes of Complete Revascularization With Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Acute Coronary Syndromes

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes of patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) with multivessel disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).BackgroundControversy exists regarding the benefit of multivessel PCI across the spectrum of ACS.MethodsA total of 9,094 patients with ACS and multivessel disease (≥70% stenosis in 2 or more major epicardial vessels) undergoing PCI from the Alberta COAPT (Contemporary Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients Invasive Treatment Strategies) registry (April 1, 2007, to March 31, 2013) were reviewed. Comparisons were made between patients who underwent complete revascularization and those with incomplete revascularization. Complete revascularization was defined as multivessel PCI with a residual angiographic jeopardy score ≤10%. Associations between revascularization status and all-cause death or new myocardial infarction (primary composite endpoint) and all-cause death, new myocardial infarction, or repeat revascularization (secondary composite endpoint) were evaluated.ResultsOf the study cohort, 66.0% underwent complete revascularization. Compared with incomplete revascularization, the primary composite endpoint occurred less frequently with complete revascularization (event rate within 5 years 15.4% vs. 22.2%; inverse probability-weighted hazard ratio [IPW-HR]: 0.78; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.73 to 0.84; p < 0.0001). The secondary composite endpoint was less likely to occur with complete revascularization (event rate within 5 years 23.3% vs. 37.5%; IPW-HR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.58 to 0.65; p < 0.0001). Complete revascularization was associated with a reduction in all-cause death (IPW-HR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.73 to 0.86; p = 0.0004), new myocardial infarction (IPW-HR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.69 to 0.84; p < 0.0001), and repeat revascularization (IPW-HR: 0.53; 95% CI: 0.49 to 0.57; p < 0.0001).ConclusionsResults from this large contemporary registry of patients with ACS and PCI for multivessel disease suggest that complete revascularization occurs commonly and is associated with improved clinical outcomes (including survival) within 5 years.     

Prognostic Implications of Plaque Characteristics and Stenosis Severity in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease

BackgroundAlthough the presence of ischemia is a key prognostic factor in patients with coronary artery disease, the presence of high-risk plaque characteristics (HRPC) is also associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events. Limited data exist regarding the prognostic implications of combined information on physiological stenosis severity assessed by fractional flow reserve (FFR) and plaque vulnerability by coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA)–defined HRPC.ObjectivesThe current study aimed to evaluate the: 1) association between physiological stenosis severity and coronary CTA-defined HRPC; and 2) prognostic implications of coronary CTA-defined HRPC according to physiological stenosis severity in patients with coronary artery disease.MethodsA total of 772 vessels (299 patients) evaluated by both coronary CTA and FFR were analyzed. The presence and number of HRPC (minimum lumen area <4 mm², plaque burden ≥70%, low attenuating plaque, positive remodeling, napkin-ring sign, or spotty calcification) were assessed using coronary CTA images. The risk of vessel-oriented composite outcome (VOCO) (a composite of vessel-related ischemia-driven revascularization, vessel-related myocardial infarction, or cardiac death) at 5 years was compared according to the number of HRPC and FFR categories.ResultsThe proportion of lesions with ≥3 HRPC was significantly decreased according to the increase in FFR values (58.6%, 46.5%, 36.8%, 15.7%, and 3.5% for FFR ≤0.60, 0.61 to ≤0.70, 0.71 to ≤0.80, 0.81 to ≤0.90, and >0.90, respectively; overall p value <0.001). Both FFR and number of HRPC showed significant association with the estimated risk of VOCO (p = 0.008 and p = 0.023, respectively). In the FFR >0.80 group, lesions with ≥3 HRPC showed significantly higher risk of VOCO than those with <3 HRPC (15.0% vs. 4.3%; hazard ratio: 3.964; 95% confidence interval: 1.451 to 10.828; p = 0.007). However, there was no significant difference in the risk of VOCO according to HRPC in the FFR ≤0.80 group. By multivariable analysis, the presence of ≥3 HRPC was independently associated with the risk of VOCO in the FFR >0.80 group.ConclusionsPhysiological stenosis severity and the number of HRPC were closely related, and both components had significant association with the risk of clinical events. However, the prognostic implication of HRPC was different according to FFR. Integration of both physiological stenosis severity and plaque vulnerability would provide better prognostic stratification of patients than either individual component alone, especially in patients with FFR >0.80. (Clinical Implication of 3-vessel Fractional Flow Reserve [3V FFR-FRIENDS study]; NCT01621438)     

Impact of SYNTAX Score on 10-Year Outcomes After Revascularization for Left Main Coronary Artery Disease

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the long-term impact of SYNTAX (Synergy Between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery) score (SS) on differential outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease.BackgroundThe very long term prognostic effect of SS on mortality and major cardiovascular events after LMCA revascularization is still undetermined.MethodsIn the MAIN-COMPARE (Ten-Year Outcomes of Stents Versus Coronary-Artery Bypass Grafting for Left Main Coronary Artery Disease) registry, patients with baseline SS measurements were analyzed. The 10-year rates of all-cause mortality, the composite of death, Q-wave myocardial infarction, or stroke, and target vessel revascularization after PCI or CABG were compared according to baseline SS.ResultsAmong 1,580 patients with baseline SS, 547 patients (34.6%) had low SS (≤22), 350 (22.2%) had intermediate SS (23 to 32), and 683 (43.2%) had high SS (≥33). In patients with low to intermediate SS, the adjusted 10-year risks for death and serious composite outcome were similar between the PCI group and the CABG group. However, in patients with high SS, PCI with stenting, compared with CABG, was associated with a higher risk for death (hazard ratio: 1.39; 95% confidence interval: 1.00 to 1.92; p = 0.048) and serious composite outcome (hazard ratio: 1.27; 95% confidence interval: 0.94 to 1.74; p = 0.123). In each revascularization group, conventional tertiles of SS had a differential prognostic impact on 10-year clinical outcomes in the PCI arm but not in the CABG arm.ConclusionsIn this 10-year extended follow-up of patients undergoing LMCA revascularization, CABG showed a clear prognostic benefit over PCI in patients with high anatomic complexity measured by SS at baseline. The discriminative capacity of SS on long-term outcomes was relevant in the PCI group but not in the CABG group. (Ten-Year Outcomes of Stents Versus Coronary-Artery Bypass Grafting for Left Main Coronary Artery Disease [MAIN-COMPARE]; NCT02791412)     

Marijuana Use and In-Hospital Outcomes After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Michigan,United States

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate the association between reported marijuana use and post–percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in-hospital outcomes.BackgroundMarijuana use is increasing as more states in the United States legalize its use for recreational and medicinal purposes. Little is known about the frequency of use and relative safety of marijuana among patients presenting for PCI.MethodsThe authors analyzed Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Cardiovascular Consortium PCI registry data between January 1, 2013, and September 30, 2016. One-to-one propensity matching and multivariable logistic regression were used to adjust for differences between patients with or without reported marijuana use, and rates of post-PCI complications were compared.ResultsAmong 113,477 patients, 3,970 reported marijuana use. Compared with those without reported marijuana use, patients with reported marijuana use were likely to be younger (53.9 years vs 65.8 years), to use tobacco (73.0% vs 26.8%), to present with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (27.3% vs 15.9%), and to have fewer cardiovascular comorbidities. After matching, compared with patients without reported marijuana use, those with reported marijuana use experienced significantly higher risks for bleeding (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.54; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.20-1.97; P < 0.001) and cerebrovascular accident (aOR: 11.01; 95% CI: 1.32-91.67; P = 0.026) and a lower risk for acute kidney injury (aOR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.42-0.87; P = 0.007). There were no significant differences in risks for transfusion and death.ConclusionsA modest fraction of patients undergoing PCI used marijuana. Reported marijuana use was associated with higher risks for cerebrovascular accident and bleeding and a lower risk for acute kidney injury after PCI. Clinicians and patients should be aware of the higher risk for post-PCI complications in these patients.     

Coronary 18F-Sodium Fluoride Uptake Predicts Outcomes in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease

BackgroundReliable methods for predicting myocardial infarction in patients with established coronary artery disease are lacking. Coronary ¹⁸F-sodium fluoride (¹⁸F-NaF) positron emission tomography (PET) provides an assessment of atherosclerosis activity.ObjectivesThis study assessed whether ¹⁸F-NaF PET predicts myocardial infarction and provides additional prognostic information to current methods of risk stratification.MethodsPatients with known coronary artery disease underwent ¹⁸F-NaF PET computed tomography and were followed up for fatal or nonfatal myocardial infarction over 42 months (interquartile range: 31 to 49 months). Total coronary ¹⁸F-NaF uptake was determined by the coronary microcalcification activity (CMA).ResultsIn a post hoc analysis of data collected for prospective observational studies, the authors studied 293 study participants (age: 65 ± 9 years; 84% men), of whom 203 (69%) showed increased coronary ¹⁸F-NaF activity (CMA >0). Fatal or nonfatal myocardial infarction occurred only in patients with increased coronary ¹⁸F-NaF activity (20 of 203 with a CMA >0 vs. 0 of 90 with a CMA of 0; p < 0.001). On receiver operator curve analysis, fatal or nonfatal myocardial infarction prediction was highest for ¹⁸F-NaF CMA, outperforming coronary calcium scoring, modified Duke coronary artery disease index and Reduction of Atherothrombosis for Continued Health (REACH) and Secondary Manifestations of Arterial Disease (SMART) risk scores (area under the curve: 0.76 vs. 0.54, 0.62, 0.52, and 0.54, respectively; p < 0.001 for all). Patients with CMA >1.56 had a >7-fold increase in fatal or nonfatal myocardial infarction (hazard ratio: 7.1; 95% confidence interval: 2.2 to 25.1; p = 0.003) independent of age, sex, risk factors, segment involvement and coronary calcium scores, presence of coronary stents, coronary stenosis, REACH and SMART scores, the Duke coronary artery disease index, and recent myocardial infarction.ConclusionsIn patients with established coronary artery disease, ¹⁸F-NaF PET provides powerful independent prediction of fatal or nonfatal myocardial infarction.     

Long-Term Outcomes After PCI or CABG for Left Main Coronary Artery Disease According to Lesion Location

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the impact of lesion site (ostial or shaft vs. distal bifurcation) on long-term outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease.BackgroundLong-term comparative data after PCI and CABG for LMCA disease according to lesion site are limited.MethodsPatients from the MAIN-COMPARE (Revascularization for Unprotected Left Main Coronary Artery Stenosis: Comparison of Percutaneous Coronary Angioplasty Versus Surgical Revascularization) registry were analyzed, comparing adverse outcomes (all-cause mortality [a composite outcome of death, Q-wave myocardial infarction, or stroke] and target vessel revascularization) between PCI and CABG according to LMCA lesion location during a median follow-up period of 12.0 years.ResultsIn overall population, the adjusted risks for death and serious composite outcome were higher after PCI than after CABG for distal bifurcation disease, which was mainly separated beyond 5 years. These outcomes were not different for ostial or shaft disease. When comparing drug-eluting stents (DES) and CABG, the adjusted risks for death and serious composite outcome progressively diverged beyond 5 years after DES compared with CABG for distal bifurcation disease (death: hazard ratio: 1.78; 95% confidence interval: 1.22 to 2.59; composite outcome: hazard ratio: 1.94; 95% confidence interval: 1.35 to 2.79). This difference was driven mainly by PCI with a 2-stent technique for distal bifurcation. In contrast, the adjusted risks for these outcomes were similar between DES and CABG for ostial or shaft disease.ConclusionsAmong patients with distal LMCA bifurcation disease, CABG showed lower mortality and serious composite outcome rates compared with DES beyond 5 years. However, there were no between-group differences in these outcomes among patients with ostial or shaft LMCA disease.     

Clinical Impact of Drug-Coated Balloon–Based Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients With Multivessel Coronary Artery Disease

BackgroundData on drug-coated balloon (DCB) treatment in the context of multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD) are limited.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of DCB-based treatment on percutaneous coronary intervention for multivessel CAD.MethodsA total of 254 patients with multivessel disease successfully treated with DCBs or in combination with drug-eluting stents (DES) were retrospectively enrolled (DCB-based group) and compared with 254 propensity-matched patients treated with second-generation DES from the PTRG-DES (Platelet Function and Genotype-Related Long-Term Prognosis in Drug-Eluting Stent-Treated Patients With Coronary Artery Disease) registry (n = 13,160) (DES-only group). Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) comprised cardiac death, myocardial infarction, stroke, stent thrombosis, target vessel revascularization, and major bleeding at 2 years.ResultsBaseline clinical characteristics were comparable between the groups. In the DCB-based group, 34.3% of patients were treated with DCBs only and 65.7% were treated with the DES hybrid approach. The number of stents and total stent length were significantly reduced by 65.4% and 63.7%, respectively, in the DCB-based group compared with the DES-only group. Moreover, the DCB-based group had a lower rate of MACE than the DES-only group (3.9% and 11.0%; P = 0.002) at 2-year follow-up. The DES-only group had a higher risk for cardiac death and major bleeding.ConclusionsThe DCB-based treatment approach showed a significantly reduced stent burden for multivessel percutaneous coronary intervention and led to a lower rate of MACE than the DES-only treatment. This study shows that DCB-based treatment approach safely reduces stent burden in multivessel CAD, and improved long-term outcomes may be expected by reducing stent-related events. (Impact of Drug-Coated Balloon Treatment in De Novo Coronary Lesion; NCT04619277)     

Impact of Pre-Procedural Blood Pressure on Long-Term Outcomes Following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

BackgroundHigh systolic blood pressure (SBP) increases cardiac afterload, whereas low diastolic blood pressure (DBP) may lead to impaired coronary perfusion. Thus, wide pulse pressure (high systolic, low diastolic [HSLD]) may contribute to myocardial ischemia and also be a predictor of adverse cardiovascular events.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between pre-procedural blood pressure and long-term outcome following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).MethodsThe study included 10,876 consecutive patients between August 2009 and December 2016 from the Melbourne Interventional Group registry undergoing PCI with pre-procedural blood pressure recorded. Patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, cardiogenic shock, and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest were excluded. Patients were divided into 4 groups according to SBP (high ≥120 mm Hg, low <120 mm Hg) and DBP (high >70 mm Hg, low ≤70 mm Hg).ResultsMean pulse pressure was 60 ± 21 mm Hg. Patients with HSLD were older and more frequently women, with higher rates of hypercholesterolemia, renal impairment, diabetes, and multivessel and left main disease (all p ≤ 0.0001). There was no difference in 30-day major adverse cardiac events, but at 12 months the HSLD group had a greater incidence of myocardial infarction (p = 0.018) and stroke (p = 0.013). Long-term mortality was highest for HSLD (7.9%) and lowest for low systolic, high diastolic (narrow pulse pressure) at 2.1% (p = 0.0002). Cox regression analysis demonstrated significantly lower long-term mortality in the low systolic, high diastolic cohort (hazard ratio: 0.50; 99% confidence interval: 0.25 to 0.98; p = 0.04).ConclusionsPulse pressure at the time of index PCI is associated with long-term outcomes following PCI. A wide pulse pressure may serve as a surrogate marker for risk following PCI and represents a potential target for future therapies.     

Procedural Characteristics and Late Outcomes of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in the Workup Pre-TAVR

ObjectivesThis study sought to determine, in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) during the work-up pre–transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR): 1) the clinical and peri-procedural PCI characteristics; 2) the long-term outcomes; and 3) the clinical events in those patients with complex coronary features.BackgroundA PCI is performed in about 25% of TAVR candidates, but procedural features and late outcomes of pre-TAVR PCI remain largely unknown.MethodsMulticenter study including 1197 consecutive patients who had PCI in the work-up pre-TAVR. A total of 1,705 lesions (1.5 ± 0.7 lesions per patient) were included. Death, stroke, myocardial infarction, and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) were recorded, as well as target lesion failure (TLF) and target vessel failure (TVF).ResultsOne-half of patients exhibited a multivessel disease and the mean SYNTAX (SYNergy between PCI with TAXUS and Cardiac Surgery) score was 12.1 ± 9.1. The lesions were of B2/C type, calcified, bifurcation, and ostial in 49.9%, 45.8%, 21.4%, and 19.3% of cases, respectively. After a median follow-up of 2 (interquartile range: 1 to 3) years, a total of 444 (37.1%) patients presented an MACCE. Forty patients exhibited TVF (3.3%), with TLF identified in 32 (2.7%) patients. By multivariable analysis, previous peripheral artery disease (p < 0.001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (p = 0.002), atrial fibrillation (p = 0.003), diabetes mellitus (p = 0.012), and incomplete revascularization (p = 0.014) determined an increased risk of MACCE. In patients with unprotected left main or SYNTAX score >32 (n = 128), TLF, TVF, and MACCE rates were 3.9%, 6.3%, and 35.9%, respectively (p = 0.378; p = 0.065, and p = 0.847, respectively, vs. the rest of the population).ConclusionsPatients undergoing PCI in the work-up pre-TAVR frequently exhibited complex coronary lesions and multivessel disease. PCI was successful in most cases, and TLF and TVF rates at 2-year follow-up were low, also among patients with high-risk coronary features. However, overall MACCE occurred in about one-third of patients, with incomplete revascularization determining an increased risk. These results should inform future studies to better determine the optimal revascularization strategy pre-TAVR.     

Cancer Patients Have a Higher Risk of Thrombotic and Ischemic Events After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

ObjectivesThis study sought to define the risk of stent thrombosis (ST) and myocardial infarction (MI) in cancer patients compared with noncancer patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).BackgroundCancer patients are considered to be at high thrombotic risk, but data on whether this is the case after PCI remain inconclusive.MethodsCancer patients undergoing PCI at Mayo Clinic Rochester from January 1, 2003, to December 31, 2013, were identified by cross-linking institutional cancer and PCI databases and by propensity score matching to noncancer patients. The combined primary endpoint was all-cause mortality, MI, and revascularization rate at 5-year follow-up. Secondary endpoints were the individual primary endpoint components, cause of mortality, ST, and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium 2+ bleeding.ResultsThe primary endpoint occurred in 48.6% of 416 cancer and in 33.0% of 768 noncancer patients (p < 0.001). In competing risk analyses, cancer patients had a higher rate of noncardiac death (24.0% vs. 10.5%; p < 0.001) and a lower rate of cardiac death (5.0% vs. 11.7%; p < 0.001). Cancer patients had a higher rate of MI (16.1% vs. 8.0%; p < 0.001), ST (6.0% vs. 2.3%; p < 0.001), repeat revascularization (21.2% vs. 10.0%; p < 0.001), and bleeding (6.7% vs. 3.9%; p = 0.03). The most critical period for ST in cancer patients was in the first year after PCI. The dual antiplatelet therapy score was predictive of thrombotic and ischemic events in both groups.ConclusionsCancer patients have a higher risk of thrombotic and ischemic events after PCI, identifiable by a high dual antiplatelet therapy score. These findings have important implications for antiplatelet therapy decisions.     

Differential Improvement in Angina and Health-Related Quality of Life After PCI in Focal and Diffuse Coronary Artery Disease

BackgroundAn increase in fractional flow reserve (FFR) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is associated with improvement in angina. Coronary artery disease (CAD) patterns (focal vs diffuse) influence the FFR change after stenting and may predict angina relief.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the differential improvement in patient-reported outcomes after PCI in focal and diffuse CAD as defined by the pullback pressure gradient (PPG).MethodsThis is a subanalysis of the TARGET-FFR (Trial of Angiography vs. pressure-Ratio-Guided Enhancement Techniques–Fractional Flow Reserve) randomized clinical trial. The 7-item Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ-7) was administered at baseline and 3 months after PCI. The PPG index was calculated from manual pre-PCI FFR pullbacks. The median PPG value was used to define focal and diffuse CAD. Residual angina was defined as an SAQ-7 score <100.ResultsA total of 103 patients were analyzed. There were no differences in the baseline characteristics between patients with focal and diffuse CAD. Focal disease had larger increases in FFR after PCI than patients with diffuse disease (0.30 ± 0.14 vs 0.19 ± 0.12; P < 0.001). Patients with focal disease who underwent PCI for focal CAD had significantly higher SAQ-7 summary scores at follow-up than those with diffuse CAD (87.1 ± 20.3 vs 75.6 ± 24.4; mean difference = 11.5 [95% CI: 2.8-20.3]; P = 0.01). After PCI, residual angina was present in 39.8% but was significantly less in those with treated focal CAD (27.5% vs 51.9%; P = 0.020).ConclusionsResidual angina after PCI was almost twice as common in patients with a low PPG (diffuse disease), whereas patients with a high PPG (focal disease) reported greater improvement in angina and quality of life. The baseline pattern of CAD can predict the likelihood of angina relief. (Trial of Angiography vs. pressure-Ratio-Guided Enhancement Techniques–Fractional Flow Reserve [TARGET-FFR]; NCT03259815)     

Evolving Role of Calcium Density in Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk

Coronary artery calcium (CAC) is a specific marker of coronary atherosclerosis that can be used to measure calcified subclinical atherosclerotic burden. The Agatston method is the most widely used scoring algorithm for quantifying CAC and is expressed as the product of total calcium area and a quantized peak calcium density weighting factor defined by the calcification attenuation in HU on noncontrast computed tomography. Calcium density has emerged as an important area of inquiry because the Agatston score is upweighted based on the assumption that peak calcium density and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk are positively correlated. However, recent evidence demonstrates that calcium density is inversely associated with lesion vulnerability and ASCVD risk in population-based cohorts when accounting for age and plaque area. Here, we review calcium density by focusing on 3 main areas: 1) CAC scan acquisition parameters; 2) pathophysiology of calcified plaques; and 3) epidemiologic evidence relating calcium density to ASCVD outcomes. Through this process, we hope to provide further insight into the evolution of CAC scoring on noncontrast computed tomography.     

Impact of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention on Outcomes in Patients With Heart Failure: JACC State-of-the-Art Review

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is highly prevalent in patients with heart failure (HF) and accounts for nearly two-thirds of cases. The use of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in HF patients with CAD has markedly increased and has been suggested to be associated with improved outcomes in numerous observational studies. Randomized data comparing the impact of PCI with that of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) or contemporary guideline-directed medical therapy alone on clinical outcomes and myocardial recovery in patients with HF are lacking. The purpose of this review is to describe the available evidence regarding the impact of PCI in acute HF (in the presence and absence of an acute coronary syndrome), chronic HF with reduced ejection fraction, and HF with preserved ejection fraction. Adequately-powered randomized clinical trials examining the outcomes with PCI in these distinct HF populations are warranted.     

Same-Day Discharge After Elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Insights From the British Cardiovascular Intervention Society

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate national temporal trends in same-day discharge (SDD) and compare clinical outcomes with those among patients admitted for overnight stay undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for stable angina.BackgroundOvernight observation has been the standard of care following PCI, with no previous national analyses around changes in practice or clinical outcomes from health care systems in which SDD is the predominant practice for elective PCI.MethodsData from 169,623 patients undergoing elective PCI between 2007 and 2014 were obtained from the British Cardiovascular Intervention Society registry. Multiple logistic regressions and the British Cardiovascular Intervention Society risk model were used to study the association between SDD and 30-day mortality.ResultsThe rate of SDD increased from 23.5% in 2007 to 57.2% in 2014, with center SDD median prevalence varying from 17% (interquartile range: 6% to 39%) in 2007 to 66% (interquartile range: 45% to 77%) in 2014. The largest independent association with SDD was observed for radial access (odds ratio: 1.69; 95% confidence interval: 1.65 to 1.74; p < 0.001). An increase in 30-day mortality rate over time for the SDD cases was observed, without exceeding the predicted mortality risk. According to the difference-in-differences analysis, observed 30-day mortality temporal changes did not differ between SDD and overnight stay (odds ratio: 1.15; 95% confidence interval: 0.294 to 4.475; p = 0.884).ConclusionsSDD has become the predominant model of care among elective PCI cases in the United Kingdom, in increasingly complex patients. SDD appears to be safe, with 30-day mortality rates in line with those calculated using the national risk prediction score used for public reporting. Changes toward SDD practice have important economic implications for health care systems worldwide.