Revascularization in advanced stable coronary artery disease

Identifying patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) who benefit from revascularization is a challenge for the clinician. Based on survival data, we have devised a guide to help the clinician decide which patients with advanced stable CAD should be treated more aggressively with revascularization and which patients may be followed with medical therapy alone. Survival data support the recommendation of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) when at least two of the following factors are present: advanced CAD, left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and significant ischemia. For patients with advanced CAD and LV dysfunction, or left main coronary artery disease, CABG remains the treatment of choice. In patients with normal LV function, but advanced CAD and significant ischemia, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and CABG appear to provide similar survival outcomes. While CABG is more invasive and is associated with a longer recovery period, PTCA is associated with more repeat revascularization procedures on follow-up than CABG. Thus, while the recommendation for revascularization in advanced stable CAD is made based on survival data, in some patients the choice of revascularization procedure may depend on the needs and preferences of the individual patient.     

The role of coronary angioplasty in the management of patients with stable coronary artery disease

A review of the existing evidence on the impact of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the setting of stable coronary artery disease (CAD) indicates that in patients with chronic coronary artery disease and good left ventricular function, PCI does not confer any clear benefit in terms of hard long-term clinical outcomes, such as mortality, myocardial infarction or the need for subsequent revascularization, as compared with medical conservative treatment. By comparing the benefits against cost considerations, it seems that many percutaneous interventions that are currently performed in patients with non-acute CAD are probably not justified. Determination of the functional significance of coronary artery disease can often be a challenge. Conventional coronary angiography and imaging tests, although suitable for risk stratification, may not be satisfactory as independent guides for specific decision-making regarding the optimum management of these patients. The development of more efficient methods for the identification of coronary lesions that should be the target of coronary intervention is certainly needed.     

Percutaneous coronary intervention with drug-eluting stents or coronary artery bypass surgery in subjects with type 2 diabetes

There is a debate as to whether percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents or coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) is the best procedure for subjects with type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease requiring revascularization. There is some evidence that by following these procedures, there is less further revascularization with CABG than PCI in subjects with diabetes. Two recent studies, namely, the FREEDOM (Future Revascularization Evaluation in patients with Diabetes mellitus: Optimal Management of Multivessel Disease) trial and a trial using a real-world diabetic population from a Registry have shown that the benefits of CABG over PCI in subjects with type 2 diabetes extend to lower rates of death and myocardial infarction, in addition to lower rates of revascularization. However, the rates of stroke may be higher with CABG than PCI with drug-eluting stents in this population. Thus, if CABG is going to be preferred to PCI in subjects with type 2 diabetes and multivessel coronary disease, consideration should be given as to how to reduce the rates of stroke with CABG.     

Drug-eluting stent implantation for coronary artery disease: current stents and a comparison with bypass surgery

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with bare-metal stents (BMS) has been performed increasingly ever since its introduction in the late 1970s. BMS have been replaced by drug-eluting stents (DES), and many interventional cardiologists consider this as a breakthrough therapy that might compete with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) as the standard treatment for coronary artery disease. Several DES are currently used and elute different agents. This review described what these agents are and provides an overview regarding the outcomes and associated adverse events. More importantly, this review compares outcomes of PCI with DES to CABG for patients with left anterior descending coronary artery involvement, left main involvement, or multivessel disease.     

基层医院高龄患者冠心病介入治疗体会

目的:评价高龄(≥75岁)冠心病(CAD)患者在基层医院直接经皮冠状动脉介入治疗(PC I)的安全性及疗效。方法:回顾分析2006年1月—2009年12月年龄≥75岁的82例CAD患者行PC I治疗的临床病变特点、手术成功率、手术并发症及近中期临床疗效。结果:PC I的成功率为95.0%,靶病变成功率为96.9%,未出现严重并发症。结论:基层医院对高龄老年CAD患者行PC I治疗成功率高,手术相关并发症少,安全有效。充分的术前准备、全面的评估、权衡利弊及谨慎的操作和适应证的严格掌握是保证安全有效的前提。     

高龄冠心病患者经皮冠状动脉介入治疗与冠状动脉旁路移植术的比较

目的比较高龄患者经皮冠状动脉介入治疗（PCI）支架术与冠状动脉旁路移植术（CABG）对住院与临床随访结果的影响。方法212例高龄（年龄〉75岁）患者,根据血运重建方式的不同将其分为PCI支架组149例和CABG组63例,记录其临床与造影特征、血运重建情况和住院临床结果等资料,并进行临床随访。主要观察终点为住院与随访主要不良心脑血管事件（MACCE）。所有资料采用SPSS13．0软件进行统计分析,以P〈0．05为差异有统计学意义。结果与CABG组相比,PCI组的院内MACCE发生率较低（2．0％vs12．7％,χ2=10．3,P〈0．05）;院内死亡率较低（2．O％V87．9％,χ^2=4．3,P〈0．05）。多因素Logistic回归分析显示,CABG组院内MACCE发生的风险显著高于PCI组（P〈0．05）。平均随访19个月（中位时间579d）显示,2组MACCE（17．2％VS13．7％,P=0．57）、再次血运重建（P〉0．05）、卒中发生率均无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。多因素Cox回归分析表明,与CABG组相比,PCI组随访期间MACCE风险较低（P〈0．05）。结论与CABG相比,高龄冠心病患者PCI术后的院内及随访主要不良心脑血管事件发生率较低。     

Health-related quality of life in patients with coronary artery disease after coronary revascularization

The aim of this study was to investigate the quality of life (HRQoL) in coronary artery disease(CAD) patients, admitted for rehabilitation within 3 months after an acute coronary event, in relation to treatment strategy [conservative treatment without revascularization (WR), percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)]. Methods: Overall 719 consecutive CAD patients were involved in the study: WR (n=170), PTCA (n=226), CABG (n=323). HRQoL was estimated using the SF-36 questionnaire for total QoL and its two dimensions for physical and mental health [physical and mental component scores (PCS, MCS)]. Sexual dysfunction was assessed using the ASEX scale. Results: Significantly higher PCS, MCS and total SF-36, but lower ASEX score, were found in men compared with women. The ASEX score was significantly affected by age. Significantly higher PCS was found in PTCA group compared with that of CABG group. In multivariate analysis a significant positive association was obtained between PCS/MCS and male sex, between regular exercise, hyperlipoproteinemia, and permanent stress. ASEX was significantly positively associated with the age, CHF and non smoking. Conclusion: The results of this study have demonstrated significantly better HRQoL in men, younger CAD patients, patients who underwent PTCA and in patients without self-reported exposition to stress.     

Role of CABG in the management of obstructive coronary arterial disease in patients with diabetes mellitus

Multiple studies have shown that diabetes mellitus (DM) can affect the efficacy of revascularization therapies and subsequent clinical outcomes. Selection of the appropriate myocardial revascularization strategy is critically important in the setting of multivessel coronary disease. Optimal medical therapy is an appropriate first-line strategy in patients with DM and mild symptoms. When medical therapy does not adequately control symptoms, revascularization with either PCI or CABG may be used. In patients with treated DM, moderate to severe symptoms and complex multivessel coronary disease, coronary artery bypass graft surgery provides better survival, fewer recurrent infarctions and greater freedom from re-intervention. Decisions regarding revascularization in patients with DM must take into account multiple factors and as such require a multidisciplinary team approach ('heart team').     

冠状动脉左主干病变介入治疗临床研究

目的:探讨冠脉内支架植入术(PCI)与冠脉搭桥术(CABG)治疗无保护左主干病变(ULMCA)的疗效。方法:选取我院45例采用PCI治疗与31例采用CABG治疗的ULMCA患者的临床资料,对2组患者的SYNTAX score评分与EURO score积分进行评估,同时对2组患者的危险因素进行比较研究。结果:比较PCI组与CABG组患者的危险因素,结果表明,2组患者在危险因素上不存在显著性差异(P>0.05);同时比较了2组患者的EURO score与SYNTAX score,结果表明,2组患者在EURO score与SYNTAX score上均不存在显著性差异(P>0.05)。结论:对于ULMCA患者,通过SYNTAX score与EURO score以及危险因素进行评估,若属于低危患者或中危患者,则使用PCI治疗是安全可靠的,创伤小而恢复快,并且能够取得满意的临床疗效,与CABG治疗结果相比无显著性差异。     

Developing drugs for use before,during and soon after percutaneous coronary intervention

Introduction: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a milestone for treating coronary artery disease (CAD). Antithrombotic therapy is essential to prevent ischemic complications, including the microvascular no-reflow, while minimizing bleeding events.

Areas covered: This overview discusses available and developing drugs for PCI including anticoagulants, antiplatelets and treatment of no-reflow.

Expert opinion: For years unfractionated heparin (UFH) has been the unique anticoagulant to be used before and during PCI. Enoxaparin showed similar efficacy and safety, yet, based on recent trials, bivalirudin has been shown to have some benefits, particularly for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The evidence concerning new anticoagulants is still preliminary, except for new oral anticoagulants, particularly rivaroxaban that showed intriguing findings and is currently under investigation. Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is the standard of care after PCI, but new developments have recently emerged. Indeed, ticagrelor and prasugrel are currently recommended over clopidogrel due to their significant reduction of ischemic events in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) whereas clopidogrel remains the choice in stable CAD. Among new agents, vorapaxar and cangrelor showed positive but limited evidence and might be considered at least in selected patients. Conversely, evidence on effective treatments for no-reflow remains limited and would require future dedicated research.     

Safety of bivalirudin in patients with coronary artery disease

INTRODUCTION: Various limitations of unfractionated heparin (UFH) have triggered a search for new antithrombotic therapies for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Bivalirudin is a direct thrombin inhibitor with several pharmacological advantages over UFH and is currently endorsed by practice guidelines, particularly in patients with acute coronary syndromes undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). To maximize effectiveness of an antithrombotic regimen and reduce complications, both ischemic and bleeding risks should be known when an antithrombotic strategy is chosen. AREAS COVERED: This review focuses on the safety and tolerability of bivalirudin in patients with CAD in the setting of currently approved indications. Synthesis of evidence has been made from clinical trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses and registries (1992 - 2011). The reader is provided with an overview of pharmacological properties of bivalirudin and its efficacy, with special emphasis on its safety in patients with CAD. EXPERT OPINION: Bivalirudin has an impressive safety profile in CAD patients treated with PCI. Bivalirudin is the antithrombotic of choice in suspected or verified heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. For ST elevation myocardial infarction patients undergoing primary PCI, bivalirudin should become the preferred antithrombotic agent together with early institution of antiplatelet therapy.     

冠状动脉重建术治疗非ST段抬高急性心肌梗死的临床意义

目的:比较冠状动脉重建术治疗和药物保守治疗对非ST段抬高急性心肌梗死患者的临床效果。方法:对194例非ST段抬高急性心肌梗死患者入院后行冠状动脉重建术(CR)治疗[冠脉介入(PCI组)或冠脉搭桥术(CABG组)]或药物保守治疗(药物保守组),并进行12个月的随访,比较2组患者的一般临床资料、冠脉造影血管病变情况及心源性死亡、心绞痛复发、再次入院和再次血运重建术情况。结果:于入院至随访12个月期间药物保守组心源性死亡高于PCI组、心绞痛复发高于CABG组(P<0.05);PCI组在心绞痛复发例数方面高于CABG组(P<0.05)。结论:对非ST段抬高急性心肌梗死患者入院后行冠脉重建术治疗是安全的,能够降低病死率及心绞痛复发率,改善患者的预后。     

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy for Ischemic Cardiovascular Disorders

Ischemic heart disease is the leading cause of death and a major cause of hospital admissions, with the number of affected patients increasing worldwide. The current management of ischemic heart disease has three major therapeutic options: medication, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). However, the prognosis for patients with severe ischemic heart disease without indications for PCI or CABG still remains poor due to the lack of effective treatments. It is therefore crucial to develop alternative therapeutic strategies for severe ischemic heart disease. Extracorporeal shock wave (SW) therapy was introduced clinically more than 20 years ago to fragment kidney stones, which has markedly improved the treatment of urolithiasis. We found that a low-energy SW (about 10% of the energy density used for urolithiasis) effectively increases the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in cultured endothelial cells. Based on this in vitro study, we initiated in vivo studies and have demonstrated that extracorporeal cardiac SW therapy with a low-energy SW up-regulates the expression of VEGF, induces neovascularization, and improves myocardial ischemia in a porcine model of chronic myocardial ischemia, without any adverse effects in vivo. On the basis of promising results in animal studies, we performed a series of clinical studies in patients with severe coronary artery disease without indication for PCI or CABG, including, firstly, an open trial followed by a placebo-controlled, double-blind study. In both studies, our extracorporeal cardiac SW therapy improved symptoms, exercise capacity, and myocardial perfusion in patients with severe coronary artery disease. Importantly, no procedural complications or adverse effects were noted. The SW therapy was also effective in ameliorating left ventricular remodeling after acute myocardial infarction (MI) in pigs and in enhancing angiogenesis in hind-limb ischemia in rabbits. Based on these animal studies, we are also conducting clinical studies in patients with acute MI and in those with peripheral artery disease. Thus, our extracorporeal cardiac SW therapy appears to be an effective, safe, and non-invasive angiogenic approach in cardiovascular medicine and its indication could be extended to a variety of ischemic diseases in the near future. In this article, we briefly summarize our work in animals and humans, and discuss the advantages and perspectives of our extracorporeal SW therapy.     

心肌血流储备分数在冠心病介入治疗中的应用

目的探讨心肌血流储备分数(FFR)在冠脉介入治疗(PCI)术中的应用价值。方法冠状动脉造影(CAG)明确冠脉病变面积狭窄70%以上患者32例(66处病变)。对照组16例患者32处病变常规行PCI植入药物涂层支架(DES);实验组16例患者34处病变均行FFR测定,仅在FFR值≤0.80的病变植入DES,术后FFR值仍≤0.80患者给予支架内后扩张。比较两组患者手术时间、造影剂用量、植入支架数目;出院1个月后心绞痛症状、主要心脏不良事件(MACE)发生率。结果实验组支架植入数量、造影剂用量明显少于对照组[(1.7±0.9 vs.2.2±0.8)个(、186±98)mlvs.(256±116)ml](P<0.01);两组手术时间和出院1个月后不良事件发生率无显著性差异。结论测定冠脉病变FFR值来指导PCI术,能显著减少造影剂用量及支架植入数量,评价支架贴壁效果,短期并不增加心绞痛发作和MACE发生率。     

Angiotensin antagonism in coronary artery disease: results after coronary revascularisation

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is an ancient and complex cascade of homeostatic reactions aimed at regulating primordial functions that ensure organ perfusion through the control of blood pressure and the regulation of renal-cardiac activity. However, the over-expression or lack of compensatory mechanisms of any of its components may initiate detrimental effects that potentially lead to disease, a balance that makes the RAS a sequence with a labile physiological equilibrium and with a strong harm potential. These characteristics of the RAS in general, and of the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) in particular, make it not only an important complex for the regulation of blood pressure and neuropeptide metabolism, but also a fascinating subject of study from a biochemical, evolutionary and genetic point of view.Pharmacological interventions that influence the RAS by inhibiting the ACE or the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) have demonstrated sustained efficacy in reducing the incidence of cardiovascular events and, consequently, vascular mortality in several clinical situations.ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor antagonists (ARAs) reduce blood pressure and have cardio- and vasculoprotective effects. Anti-atherosclerotic effects have also been attributed to these drugs. For these reasons, it has been hypothesised that RAS inhibitors could also reduce the recurrence of ischaemic events after myocardial revascularisation procedures, namely coronary artery by-pass graft surgery (CABG) or percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI).Information available on the effect of ACE inhibitors and ARAs in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) previously treated with revascularisation techniques indicates a substantial reduction of mortality and infarction in these patients. However, data regarding the progression of CAD, restenosis or reocclusion of vascular conduits of the coronary circulation after myocardial revascularisation are inconsistent.In most studies, the administration of ACE inhibitors neither improved the ischaemic threshold nor reduced the need for new revascularisation procedures. On the contrary, ACE inhibitors have been associated with higher restenosis rates after PCI in some retrospective series. Conversely, a single, exploratory randomised trial demonstrated that the selective AT1R antagonist valsartan significantly reduced stent restenosis after PCI. In patients undergoing CABG, ACE inhibitors did not reduce the risk of graft degeneration or occlusion. Studies that evaluated a possible anti-atherosclerotic effect of ACE inhibitors (including some large randomised trials) have generally been negative.     

住院冠心病患者出院后的心理状况变化

目的 观察住院冠心病患者出院后焦虑和抑郁状况的动态变化.方法 入选2007～2009年住院并经冠状动脉造影(CAG)确诊的冠心病患者1116例,在CAG或支架植入后2 d内选用Zung焦虑自评量表(SAS)和Zung抑郁自评量表(SDS)对入选患者进行心理测评.在患者出院后1年通知其门诊回访,再次进行SAS和SDS量表的测评.结果 共有361例(32.3%)患者接受了门诊随访,收回有效问卷361份.平均随访时期为患者出院后(14.8±4.3)个月.回访时患者SAS、SDS标准分显著低于其住院时的基线值(P<0.01),但仍显著高于国内标准常模分值(P<0.01).焦虑和抑郁的症状患病率显著低于住院时各自的症状患病率(P<0.01),其严重程度也较住院时显著下降.女性患者、心肌梗死患者回访时的焦虑和抑郁症状患病率与住院时无显著差异.基线SD6评分、既往心肌梗死史与门诊随访依从性负相关.结论 国人住院冠心病患者出院后1年焦虑和抑郁状况显著改善,但仍未恢复至正常人群水平;女性患者和心肌梗死患者在出院后1年焦虑和抑郁状况无显著改善.     

Evaluation of the effect of myocardial perfusion after percutaneous coronary intervention in coronary artery disease by using intracoronary myocardial contrast echocardiography and two other angiographic techniques

Detection of abnormal myocardial perfusion is crucial to the prognosis of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) after they have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of myocardial perfusion by three different methods—intra-coronary myocardial contrast echocardiography (ICMCE), corrected thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame count (CTFC), and coronary blood flow velocity (BFV)—and to determine the value of these different methods in the evaluation of the effect of myocardial perfusion post-PCI. For the study sixty-eight patients were divided into four groups based on selective coronary angiography results: group A (normal coronary artery), group B (75%–95% coronary artery stenosis), group C (coronary artery stenosis >95%) and group D (acute total coronary occlusion). The effect of myocardial reperfusion was evaluated using the above mentioned three methods 15 min after PCI. IC-MCE was also performed before PCI in group D. The quantitative parameters of MCE involved: contrast peak intensity, time to peak intensity and area under the curve, representing myocardial blood volume, reperfusion velocity and myocardial blood flow, respectively. No difference was found in CTFC between the coronary artery stenosis group and the normal group. BFV was slower in group D than in group A(P < 0.05). The myocardial blood volume and the myocardial blood flow of the IC-MCE quantitative parameters were markedly lower in group C compared with those in group A (P < 0.05), and there were significant differences in the three MCE parameters between group D and group A (P < 0.05). For those patients with acute or total occlusion, the levels of myocardial perfusion before and after PCI were similar, as determined by IC-MCE and visually analyzed from 61 segments (P < 0.05). Quantitative IC-MCE evaluation of myocardial reperfusion is more accurate than with the other two methods. Moreover, with qualitative IC-MCE the level of myocardial reperfusion can be viewed directly and rapidly. Thus, the IC-MCE method is of great value to coronary artery disease (CAD) patients undergoing PCI, especially for those with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).     

Comparative effectiveness of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in elderly patients with diabetes

Objective: To compare the relative effectiveness of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) among elderly patients with diabetes regarding acute myocardial infarction (AMI), stroke, repeat revascularization, and all-cause mortality.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the 2006–2008 5% national sample of Medicare claims data. Elderly (≥65 years) beneficiaries with at least two claims of diabetes separated by ≥30 days and who had at least one inpatient claim for multi-vessel CABG or PCI between 1 July 2006 and 30 June 2008 were identified. The date of beneficiary’s first CABG or PCI was defined as the index date. All patients were followed from the index date to 31 December 2008 for outcomes. CABG and PCI patients were 1:1 matched on propensity scores and index dates. Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare postoperative outcomes between patients undergoing CABG versus PCI.

Results: The matched sample consisted of 4430 patients (2215 in each group). The Cox proportional hazards models showed that, compared to patients undergoing PCI, CABG was associated with a lower risk of postoperative AMI (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.494; 95% CI: 0.396–0.616; p?<?.0001), repeat revascularization (HR: 0.194; 95% CI: 0.149–0.252; p?<?.0001), the composite outcome (HR: 0.523; 95% CI: 0.460–0.595; p?<?.0001), and all-cause mortality (HR: 0.775; 95% CI: 0.658–0.914; p?=?.0024); postoperative risk of stroke was not significantly different between the two groups (HR: 0.965; 95% CI: 0.812–1.148; p?=?.691).

Conclusions: CABG appears to be the preferred revascularization strategy for elderly patients with diabetes and coronary heart disease. However, this result should be interpreted considering study limitations, for example, several patient clinical variables and physician-related factors which may affect procedure outcomes are not available in the data. Clinical decisions should be individualized considering all patient- and physician-related factors.     

左进胸微创多支冠状动脉搭桥术治疗冠心病的临床应用

目的 评价分析左进胸微创多支冠状动脉搭桥术(minimally invasive cardiac surgery for coronary artery bypass grafting,MICS CABG)治疗冠心病的效果及其可行性和安全性.方法 选取自2020年4月至2021年3月以来于中国科学技术大学附属第一医院开展MICS CABG的冠心病病人10例进行回顾性分析.对所有病人术前基本信息、术中资料如搭桥数量及术后相关资料和并发症等进行分析,总结MICS CABG的效果和可行性.结果 10例病人行MICS CABG术共搭桥23支,平均2.3支/例.且病人无术中转正中开胸、主动脉球囊反搏植入;术后转回监护室治疗,无二次手术发生.术后呼吸机时间中位数为9 h,重症监护室停留时间中位数为47.75 h.术后首日引流量中位数为275 mL,输血病人为3例(30％).住院期间未发生房颤、肾功能损伤、主要心血管不良事件、术后死亡以及术后脑梗死等事件.术后住院时间中位数为9.5 d.结论 对于合适的病人,在配合围手术期精细管理的基础下,MICS CABG是治疗冠心病安全有效的方法,且预后良好.     

冠心病外科治疗11例报告

目的 探讨冠心病行冠状动脉旁路移植术的治疗,报告１１例手术结果。方法 手术均在全麻体外循环中低温下进行,经胸正中切口,除１例左前降支单支病变者用左乳内动脉搭桥外,均用大隐静脉,搭２支和３支桥各５例。结果 全组无手术死亡,术后心绞痛症状均消失,心功能明显改善。结论冠状动脉旁路移植术是治疗冠心病一种安全有效的方法,应用静脉搭桥移植操作简便,易于掌握,术后近期临床效果满意。