Effect of FIXed-dose combination of ARb and statin on adherence and risk factor control: The randomized FIXAR study

Background

The efficacy of fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) in improving adherence and risk factor control for cardiovascular disease has not been reported consistently. Here, we compared adherence and efficacy between an olmesartan/rosuvastatin FDC and the usual regimen.

Methods

In this 6-month, open-label, randomized, active-control study, we screened 154 patients; of these, 150 were randomly assigned to receive either olmesartan/rosuvastatin FDC or the usual regimen with separate angiotensin receptor blockers and statins. In total, 135 patients completed the study (median age: 68 years; male: 68.9%). The primary outcome was patients’ adherence; the secondary outcomes were changes in blood pressure (BP) and lipid parameters.

Results

During follow-up, adherence in both groups was high and similar between the groups (98.9% and 98.3% in the FDC and usual regimen groups, respectively, p = 0.328). Changes in systolic (−8 and −5 mmHg, respectively, p = 0.084) and diastolic BP (−5 and −2 mmHg, p = 0.092) did not differ significantly, although they were numerically greater in the FDC group. Changes in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were greater in the FDC group (−13 and −4 mg/dL, respectively, p = 0.019), whereas changes in other lipid parameters were similar between the groups. The test drugs were well tolerated, showing no difference in safety between the groups.

Conclusions

Patients’ adherence was excellent and similar in the groups, whereas the reduction in the LDL-C level was greater in the FDC group. We provide comprehensive information on the adherence and efficacy of an FDC compared to the usual regimen in Korean patients with high cardiovascular risk.

Beta-Blocker and Renin-Angiotensin System Inhibitor Combination Therapy in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction and Prediabetes or Diabetes Who Underwent Successful Implantation of Newer-Generation Drug-Eluting Stents: A Retrospective Observational Registry Study

Long-term clinical outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and prediabetes or diabetes who received ß-blockers (BB) and renin–angiotensin system inhibitor (RASI) therapy after successful newer-generation drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation are limited. We compared the two-year clinical outcomes in such patients. A total of 9466 patients with AMI in the Korea AMI Registry were classified into six groups according to their glycemic status and presence or absence of BB + RASI therapy: normoglycemia and BB + RASI users (n = 2217) or nonusers (n = 243), prediabetes and BB + RASI users (n = 2601) or nonusers (n = 306), and diabetes and BB + RASI users (n = 3682) or nonusers (n = 417). The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) defined as all-cause death, recurrent myocardial infarction (Re-MI), or any repeat revascularization, and the secondary endpoint was the cumulative incidence of hospitalization for heart failure (HHF). In patients with BB + RASI, despite similar primary and secondary clinical points between the prediabetes and diabetes groups, the cumulative incidence of Re-MI (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.660; 95% confidence interval: 1.000–2.755; p = 0.020) was higher in the diabetes group than in the prediabetes group. In all three different glycemic groups, BB + RASI users showed reduced MACEs, cardiac death, and HHF compared to those of BB + RASI nonusers. In this retrospective observational registry study, BB + RASI therapy showed comparable clinical outcomes except for Re-MI between prediabetes and diabetes in patients with AMI during a two-year follow-up period.

Effect of ticagrelor monotherapy on mortality after percutaneous coronary intervention: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials including 26 143 patients

Aims

Optimal timing and strategy of antiplatelet monotherapy after dual-antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) consisting of aspirin and P2Y12 inhibitor for patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is still being debated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ticagrelor monotherapy after short-term DAPT after PCI on mortality.

Methods and results

A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed using PubMed to search for ticagrelor monotherapy after short-term DAPT comparing conventional DAPT in patients who underwent PCI. Three randomized trials encompassing 26 143 patients [ticagrelor monotherapy after 1–3 months of DAPT (n = 13 062) vs. conventional therapy (n = 13 081)] were included. The efficacy endpoint of all-cause mortality was significantly lower with the ticagrelor monotherapy group vs. the conventional therapy group [risk ratio (RR) = 0.80, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.65–0.98; P = 0.03; I2 = 0%; number needed to treat for benefit (NNTB) = 320]. The safety endpoint of Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) type 3 or 5 bleeding was also significantly lower with the ticagrelor monotherapy group vs. the conventional therapy group (RR = 0.67, 95% CI 0.49–0.92; P = 0.01; I2 = 65%; NNTB = 156). There were no significant differences in ischaemic stroke, acute myocardial infarction, and stent thrombosis. The favourable effects of the ticagrelor monotherapy vs. the conventional therapy on all-cause mortality and BARC type 3 or 5 bleeding were consistent in the subset of patients presenting acute coronary syndromes (n = 15 157).

Conclusion

Ticagrelor monotherapy after short-term DAPT of 1–3 months was associated with decreased all-cause mortality and BARC type 3 or 5 bleeding not offset by increase of cardiac death, ischaemic stroke, acute myocardial infarction, and stent thrombosis.

Clinical implication of neointimal burden in in-stent restenosis treated with drug-coated balloon

BACKGROUND

Although drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty is a well-established drug-eluting stent (DES) in-stent restenosis (ISR) strategy, there are minimal data regarding the association of neointimal burden on optical coherence tomography (OCT) before and after DCB and adverse clinical events. This study aimed to investigate the clinical impact of neointimal burden measured with OCT in patients with DES ISR after DCB angioplasty.

METHODS

From 2010 through 2013, a total of 122 patients with 122 ISR lesions were treated with DCB, which was preceded and followed by OCT examination. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE, a composite occurrence of cardiovascular cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction [MI], or target lesion revascularization [TLR]) were evaluated.

RESULTS

MACE occurred in 27 patients (4 nonfatal MIs and 23 TLRs) during the follow-up (median: 55.3 months, interquartile range 43.1-66.0). The mean lumen area was significantly smaller (3.21 ± 2.42 mm² vs. 4.80 ± 2.53 mm² , p = .005) and the mean percentage of neointimal volume derived by OCT was greater (49.3 ± 9.2% vs. 38.3 ± 17.5%, p = .006) in patients with MACE before DCB angioplasty. The pre-procedural mean percentage of neointimal volume (cut-off 50%, area under the receiver operating characteristic [ROC] curve = 0.644, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.531-0.758, p = .022) and post-procedural mean percentage of neointimal volume (cut-off 25%, area under ROC curve = 0.659, 95% CI = 0.546-0.773, p = .012) were identified as significant parameters to predict MACE.

CONCLUSION

The OCT-derived mean percentages of neointimal volume before and after DCB angioplasty can be important parameters for predicting future MACE in patients with DES ISR.

Two-Year Clinical Outcomes Between Prediabetic and Diabetic Patients With STEMI and Multivessel Disease Who Underwent Successful PCI Using Drug-Eluting Stents

To evaluate clinical implication of prediabetes, we compared a 2-year major clinical outcome including patient-oriented composite outcomes (POCOs), stent thrombosis (ST), and stroke between prediabetes and diabetes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and multivessel disease (MVD). A total of 4097 patients with STEMI and MVD (normoglycemia [group A: 1001], prediabetes [group B: 1518], and diabetes [group C: 1578]) who received drug-eluting stents were evaluated. Patient-oriented composite outcomes were defined as all-cause death, recurrent myocardial infarction (MI), or any repeat revascularization. The cumulative incidences of POCOs, ST, and stroke were similar between groups B and C. The cumulative incidences of all-cause death (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 1.483; 95% CI: 1.027-2.143; P = .036) and all-cause death or MI (aHR: 1.429, 95% CI: 1.034-1.974; P = .031) were higher in group B than in group A. The cumulative incidences of all-cause death (aHR: 1.563; 95% CI: 1.089-2.243; P = .015), cardiac death (aHR: 1.661; 95% CI: 1.123-2.457; P = .011), and all-cause death or MI were higher in group C than in group A. In conclusion, prediabetes could potentially have a similar impact as diabetes on major clinical outcomes in patients with STEMI and MVD.

Comparison of Durable-Polymer- and Biodegradable-Polymer-Based Newer-Generation Drug-Eluting Stents in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction and Prediabetes After Successful Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Hyperglycemia is an important risk factor for poor clinical outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The relative superiority of the long-term clinical outcomes of durable-polymer (DP) -based and biodegradable-polymer (BP) -based newer-generation drug-eluting stents (DESs) after successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with AMI and prediabetes is not well established. We compared the clinical outcomes in such patients between DP-based and BP-based newer-generation DESs.A total of 4,377 patients with AMI and prediabetes were divided into the following two groups: the DP-DES group (n = 3,775; zotarolimus-eluting stents [ZES; n = 1,546] and everolimus-eluting stents [EES; n = 2,229]) and the BP-DES group (n = 602; biolimus-eluting stents [BES]). The primary endpoint was the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), defined as all-cause death, recurrent myocardial infarction (re-MI), or any repeat revascularization. The secondary endpoint was the occurrence of stent thrombosis (ST).The 2-year adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of MACEs for ZES versus EES, ZES versus BES, EES versus BES, and ZES/EES versus BES (aHR: 1.125; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.834-1.518; P = 0.440) were similar. The cumulative incidence of ST was also comparable between the DP-DES and BP-DES groups (aHR: 1.407; 95% CI, 0.476-4.158; P = 0.537). Moreover, the 2-year aHRs of all-cause death, CD, re-MI, target lesion revascularization (TLR), target vessel revascularization (TVR), and non-TVR were similar.Patients with AMI and prediabetes who received DP-DES or BP-DES during PCI showed comparable safety and efficacy during the 2-year follow-up period.

Impacts of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors on two-year clinical outcomes in diabetic and dyslipidemic acute myocardial infarction patients after a successful percutaneous coronary intervention using newer-generation drug-eluting stents

This study investigated the impacts of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (RASIs) on 2-year clinical outcomes in diabetes and dyslipidemic acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients after a successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using newer-generation drug-eluting stents (DESs).A total of 16,997 AMI patients were enrolled, and divided into four groups based on the presence or absence of diabetes and dyslipidemia as follows: diabetes -/dyslipidemia -(group A, 11,132 patients), diabetes +/dyslipidemia - (group B, 3,860 patients), diabetes -/dyslipidemia + (group C, 1,328 patients), and diabetes +/dyslipidemia + (group D, 677 patients). The clinical endpoint was the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), the composite of total death, recurrent myocardial infarction (re-MI), and any repeat revascularization, including target lesion revascularization (TLR), target vessel revascularization (TVR), and non-target vessel revascularization (non-TVR).After RASIs therapy, the cumulative incidences of MACEs (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.330; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.022-1.732; P = .034), any repeat revascularization (aHR, 1.584; 95% CI, 1.092-2.298; P = .015), TLR, and TVR were significantly higher in group B than group C. However, the cumulative incidences of all-cause death, cardiac death, re-MI, and non-TVR were similar in groups B and C.In this study, under the newer-generation DESs era, repeat revascularization rate reduction benefit of RASIs therapy in diabetic AMI patients was lesser than that in dyslipidemic AMI patients. However, larger randomized controlled studies are needed to confirm these results in the future.

Comparison of First- and Second-Generation Drug-Eluting Stents in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction and Prediabetes Based on the Hemoglobin A1c Level

OBJECTIVE

To compare major clinical outcomes after successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with first-generation (1G) drug-eluting stents (DES) and second-generation (2G) DES in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and prediabetes.

BACKGROUND

Patients with prediabetes are associated with an increased incidence of coronary artery disease. The relative superiority of 1G- and 2G-DES in these patients is not well established.

METHODS

A total of 4997 patients with AMI and prediabetes were divided into two groups: the 1D-DES group (n = 726) and the 2G-DES group (n = 4271). The primary outcomes were the patient-oriented composite outcomes (POCOs) defined as all-cause death, recurrent myocardial infarction (Re-MI), and any disease revascularization at 2-year follow-up. The secondary outcome was probable or definite stent thrombosis (ST).

RESULTS

After propensity score-matching (PSM) analysis, two PSM groups (698 pairs, n = 1396, C-statistics = 0.725) were generated. The cumulative incidence rates of POCOs (hazard ratio (HR): 1.467; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.068-2.015; p = 0.018), any disease revascularization (HR: 2.259; 95% CI: 1.397-3.654; p = 0.001), and ST (HR: 4.361; 95% CI: 1.243-15.30; p = 0.021) in the 1G-DES group were significantly higher than those in the 2G-DES group. However, the cumulative incidence rates of all-cause death, cardiac death, and Re-MI were similar between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with AMI and prediabetes, 2G-DES implantation was more efficacious than 1G-DES implantation over a 2-year follow-up period. However, further studies are needed to confirm these results.

Impact of PRECISE-DAPT and DAPT Scores on Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Duration After 2nd Generation Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation

PURPOSE

Determining the optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation is an important clinical issue. We evaluated the effects of ischemia (by DAPT score) and bleeding (by PRECISE-DAPT score), as well as the impact of DAPT duration, on clinical outcomes.

METHODS

From pooled analysis of four randomized clinical trials, 5131 patients undergoing second-generation DES implantation were randomized to short-duration (n = 2575; ≤ 6 months) or standard-duration (n = 2556; ≥ 12 months) DAPT groups. This population was further divided into four subgroups according to PRECISE-DAPT (high bleeding risk ≥ 25) and DAPT (high ischemic risk ≥ 2) scores.

RESULTS

Net clinical outcomes (1.3% vs. 1.3%; p = 0.89) and ischemic events (5.0% vs. 4.5%; p = 0.44) did not differ between the two duration groups, although bleeding events were more frequent in patients with standard-duration DAPT (0.4% vs. 0.9%; p = 0.04). Standard-duration DAPT was associated with fewer ischemic events (6.9% vs. 4.0%; p = 0.02) and no increase in bleeding events only among patients at low bleeding risk and high ischemic risk. The other groups show no differences in net clinical outcomes, ischemic events, or bleeding events according to DAPT duration.

CONCLUSION

Compared with short-duration DAPT, standard-duration DAPT was associated with similar net clinical outcomes and ischemic events, but more bleeding events at 12 months after second-generation DES implantation. However, standard-duration DAPT reduced ischemic events without increasing bleeding events among patients at low bleeding and high ischemic risk. When determining DAPT duration, considering both ischemic and bleeding risk can help optimize patient benefits.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

EXCELLENT (NCT00698607), RESET (NCT01145079), IVUS-XPL (NCT01308281), OPTIMA-C (NCT03056118).

Difficult extubation of a damaged neural integrity monitor electromyogram tracheal tube: A case report

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of a neural integrity monitor electromyogram (EMG) tracheal tube is to reduce the risk of damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerves. Complications associated with the use of EMG tube are ventilatory failure, tracheal injury, and difficult extubation.

PATIENT CONCERNS

We encountered a case of difficult extubation of an EMG tube after thyroidectomy and partial tracheal resection in a 73-year-old woman.

DIAGNOSES

The cuff was torn intraoperatively; but, it was kept inflated to maintain the integrity of the ventilatory circuit. During extubation, the vocal cord blocked the torn hole on the shoulder of the cuff, which subsequently was filled with air, complicating the extubation.

INTERVENTIONS

We extubated the EMG tube slowly with the help of videolaryngoscopy with a moderate amount of force and re-intubated with a 6.0-mm ID endotracheal tube.

OUTCOMES

We examined the airway during and after re-intubation using videolaryngoscopy. The findings were normal and no bleeding or laceration was observed. The subsequent recovery and extubation occurred smoothly.

CONCLUSIONS

Awareness of the characteristics and types of damage that can occur in an EMG tube is essential. Because it can be difficult to ascertain the type of damage before extubation, communication between the surgeon and anesthesiologist, along with the preparation for emergency airway management are necessary for cases of difficult extubation.

Effect of Ticagrelor Monotherapy vs Ticagrelor With Aspirin on Major Bleeding and Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome: The TICO Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

Discontinuing aspirin after short-term dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) was evaluated as a bleeding reduction strategy. However, the strategy of ticagrelor monotherapy has not been exclusively evaluated in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS).

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether switching to ticagrelor monotherapy after 3 months of DAPT reduces net adverse clinical events compared with ticagrelor-based 12-month DAPT in patients with ACS treated with drug-eluting stents.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

A randomized multicenter trial was conducted in 3056 patients with ACS treated with drug-eluting stents between August 2015 and October 2018 at 38 centers in South Korea. Follow-up was completed in October 2019.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients were randomized to receive ticagrelor monotherapy (90 mg twice daily) after 3-month DAPT (n = 1527) or ticagrelor-based 12-month DAPT (n = 1529).

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary outcome was a 1-year net adverse clinical event, defined as a composite of major bleeding and adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (death, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, stroke, or target-vessel revascularization). Prespecified secondary outcomes included major bleeding and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events.

RESULTS

Among 3056 patients who were randomized (mean age, 61 years; 628 women [20%]; 36% ST-elevation myocardial infarction), 2978 patients (97.4%) completed the trial. The primary outcome occurred in 59 patients (3.9%) receiving ticagrelor monotherapy after 3-month DAPT and in 89 patients (5.9%) receiving ticagrelor-based 12-month DAPT (absolute difference, -1.98% [95% CI, -3.50% to -0.45%]; hazard ratio [HR], 0.66 [95% CI, 0.48 to 0.92]; P = .01). Of 10 prespecified secondary outcomes, 8 showed no significant difference. Major bleeding occurred in 1.7% of patients with ticagrelor monotherapy after 3-month DAPT and in 3.0% of patients with ticagrelor-based 12-month DAPT (HR, 0.56 [95% CI, 0.34 to 0.91]; P = .02). The incidence of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events was not significantly different between the ticagrelor monotherapy after 3-month DAPT group (2.3%) vs the ticagrelor-based 12-month DAPT group (3.4%) (HR, 0.69 [95% CI, 0.45 to 1.06]; P = .09).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Among patients with acute coronary syndromes treated with drug-eluting stents, ticagrelor monotherapy after 3 months of dual antiplatelet therapy, compared with ticagrelor-based 12-month dual antiplatelet therapy, resulted in a modest but statistically significant reduction in a composite outcome of major bleeding and cardiovascular events at 1 year. The study population and lower than expected event rates should be considered in interpreting the trial.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02494895.

Effect of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors on major clinical outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction and prediabetes or diabetes after successful implantation of newer-generation drug-eluting stents

AIM

To investigate the comparative effectiveness of renin-angiotensin system inhibitor (RASI) therapy on major clinical outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and prediabetes or diabetes after successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with newer-generation drug-eluting stents (DESs).

METHODS

A total of 11,962 patients with AMI were divided into six groups according to glycemic status and the presence or absence of RASI therapy: normoglycemia (n = 3,080; RASI+ [n = 2,496], RASI- [n = 584]), prediabetes (n = 3,709; RASI+ [n = 2,944], RASI- [n = 765]), and diabetes (n = 5,173; RASI+ [n = 4,133], RASI- [n = 1,040]). The major endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), defined as all-cause death, recurrent myocardial infarction (re-MI), or any repeat revascularization.

RESULTS

After adjustment, in RASI users, the cumulative incidence of re-MI of the diabetes group was significantly higher than that of the prediabetes group (aHR, 1.999; 95% CI, 1.153-3.467; p = 0.014). However, the cumulative incidences of MACEs, all-cause death, and any repeat revascularization were similar between the two groups during a 2-year follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

In the era of newer-generation DESs, RASI therapy did not reduce re-MI in patients with AMI and diabetes in this study.

Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffolds Versus Drug-Eluting Stents for Diffuse Long Coronary Narrowings

Clinical benefits of bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) implantation for long coronary lesions were not sufficiently evaluated. The efficacy and safety of BVS and metallic everolimus-eluting stent (EES) were compared for the treatment of long coronary narrowings. A total of 341 patients with diffuse long lesions (requiring device length ≥28 mm) were randomized to receive either BVS (n = 171) or EES (n = 170) implantation. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular events which included death from cardiac cause, myocardial infarction, device thrombosis, or ischemia-driven target-lesion revascularization at 12 months. The trial was terminated early because the manufacturer stopped supplying BVS. The mean lesion length was 32.2 ± 13.1 mm in the BVS group and 35.3 ± 13.0 mm in the EES group. The 12-month follow-up was completed in 332 patients (97.4%). At 12 months, the primary endpoint events occurred in 2 patients (1.2%) in the BVS group and in 4 patients (2.4%) in the EES group (hazard ratio = 0.49, 95% confidence interval = 0.09 to 2.67, p = 0.398). Definite or probable device thrombosis occurred in 1 patient (0.6%) in the BVS group and 1 patient (0.6%) in the EES group (hazard ratio = 1.00, 95% confidence interval = 0.06 to 15.94, p = 0.998). In conclusion, in patients with long native coronary artery disease, significant differences between BVS and EES were not observed regarding the primary composite endpoint of death from cardiac cause, myocardial infarction, device thrombosis, or target-lesion revascularization at 12 months. However, due to the early termination of this trial and a low number of events, the results cannot be considered clinically relevant (clinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02796157).

Effectiveness of Fimasartan and Rosuvastatin Combination Treatment in Hypertensive Patients With Dyslipidemia

PURPOSE

The goal of this study was to evaluate the concurrent control rate of hypertension and dyslipidemia by fimasartan and rosuvastatin in patients who were concomitantly prescribed both drugs.

METHODS

This single-center, cross-sectional study was conducted in 536 patients with hypertension and dyslipidemia who were taking fimasartan and rosuvastatin together for at least 12 weeks. Patients were enrolled from October 2016 to March 2018 at a tertiary hospital in the Republic of Korea. The primary end point was the concurrent control rate of blood pressure (<140/90 mm Hg) and LDL-C. As a secondary end point, the target blood pressure <130/80 mm Hg was adopted in all patients or in high-risk patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. Target LDL-C and non-HDL-C levels followed the domestic guidelines. Correlation between blood pressure control and lipid profile was also evaluated. All parameters were assessed in a clinic by board-certified physicians.

FINDINGS

Of the total 536 patients, 69% (n = 368) had very high (n = 308) or high (n = 60) cardiovascular risk, with an average age of 65 years; 57% were male. When the target blood pressure was set at 140/90 mm Hg, the proportion of patients meeting the targeting LDL-C level was 40.3% (95% CI, 36.2-44.5; P < 0.001). When applied to the revised blood pressure criteria targeting 130/80 mm Hg, the concurrent control rate dropped by one half to 20.3% (95% CI, 17.2-24.0; P < 0.001). To apply the new blood pressure criteria, more intensive management is mandatory in patients with high or very high cardiovascular risk. There was no positive correlation between the controlled rate of hypertension and dyslipidemia.

IMPLICATIONS

Fimasartan and rosuvastatin were shown to have effects on target diseases, but there was no synergistic effect when administered in combination. The higher the cardiovascular risk of the patients, the lower the rate of concurrent control when fimasartan and rosuvastatin were administered simultaneously. More active treatment is therefore required in high-risk patients.

Culprit-only versus multivessel or complete versus incomplete revascularization in patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and multivessel disease who underwent successful percutaneous coronary intervention using newer-generation drug-eluting stents

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The long-term comparative results between culprit-only percutaneous coronary intervention (C-PCI) and multivessel PCI (M-PCI) or those between complete revascularization (CR) and incomplete revascularization (IR) in patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and multivessel disease (MVD) after successful newer-generation drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation are limited. Therefore, we compared the 2-year clinical outcomes in such patients.

METHODS

A total of 4588 patients with NSTEMI and MVD (C-PCI, n = 2055; M-PCI, n = 2533; CR, n = 2029; IR, n = 504) were evaluated. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) defined as all-cause death, recurrent myocardial infarction MI, and any repeat coronary revascularization. The secondary outcome was stent thrombosis (ST).

RESULTS

The cumulative incidences of the primary and secondary outcomes were similar in the three comparison groups (C-PCI vs. M-PCI, CR vs. IR, or CR vs. C-PCI). However, the cumulative incidence of non-target vessel revascularization (non-TVR) was higher in the C-PCI group than in the M-PCI group (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 2.011; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.942-3.985; p = 0.012), higher in the IR group than in the CR group (aHR: 2.051; 95% CI: 1.216-4.183; p = 0.043), and higher in the C-PCI group than in the CR group (aHR: 2.099; 95% CI: 1.237-3.564; p = 0.006).

CONCLUSIONS

Regarding the higher cumulative incidence of non-TVR, M-PCI and CR were preferred compared to C-PCI or IR in patients with NSTEMI and MVD. However, further randomized studies are required to confirm these findings.

Monotherapy versus combination therapy of statin and renin-angiotensin system inhibitor in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Background

The beneficial effects of statin and renin–angiotensin system inhibitor (RASI) are well-known. In this retrospective cohort study, 2-year clinical outcomes were compared between monotherapy and combination therapy with statin and RASI in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients after stent implantation.

Methods

A total of 17,414 STEMI patients were enrolled and divided into the three groups (group A: 2448 patients, statin alone; group B: 2431 patients, RASI alone; and group C: 12,535 patients, both statin and RASI). The principal clinical endpoint was the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) defined as all-cause death, recurrent myocardial infarction, and any repeat revascularization.

Results

After adjustment, the cumulative incidences of MACEs in group A (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.337; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.064–1.679; p = 0.013) and in group B (aHR 1.375; 95% CI 1.149–1.646; p = 0.001) were significantly higher than in group C. The cumulative incidence of all-cause death in group A was significantly higher than that in group C (aHR 1.539; 95% CI 1.014–2.336; p = 0.043). The cumulative incidences of any repeat revascularization (aHR 1.317; 95% CI 1.031–1.681; p = 0.028), target lesion vascularization, and target vessel vascularization in group B were significantly higher than in group C.

Conclusions

A statin and RASI combination therapy significantly reduced the cumulative incidence of MACEs compared with a monotherapy of these drugs. Moreover, the combination therapy showed a reduced all-cause death rate compared with statin monotherapy, and a decreased repeat revascularization rate compared with RASI monotherapy.

Different Statin Effects of ST-elevation Versus Non-ST-Elevation Acute Myocardial Infarction After Stent Implantation

BACKGROUND

Intensive statin therapy reduces cardiovascular events in acute coronary syndrome. The data concerning the long-term clinical impacts of statin therapy between ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-STEMI (NSTEMI) after drug-eluting stent implantation are limited. We compared the 2-year clinical outcomes between these 2 groups after statin therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 30,616 Korean patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were enrolled. Among them, 13,686 patients were classified as group A (STEMI statin user), 3,824 patients were as group B (STEMI statin nonuser), 10,398 patients were as group C (NSTEMI statin user), and 2,708 patients were as group D (NSTEMI statin nonuser). The major clinical endpoint was the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) defined as all-cause death, recurrent myocardial infarction (re-MI), and any repeat revascularization during a 2-year follow-up period.

RESULTS

After adjustment, the cumulative risks of MACE (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 1.112 [1.002-1.235]; P = 0.047), all-cause death (aHR = 1.271 [1.054-1.532]; P = 0.012), and target vessel revascularization (TVR, aHR = 1.262 [1.049-1.518]; P = 0.014) in group C were significantly higher than group A. The cumulative risks of MACE, all-cause death, and cardiac death of the statin nonuser group (groups B and D) were significantly higher compared with statin user group (groups A and C).

CONCLUSIONS

Statin therapy was more effective in reducing the cumulative risks of MACE, all-cause death, and TVR in the STEMI group than NSTEMI group in Korean patients with AMI after successful drug-eluting stent implantation.

Which is the worst risk factor for the long-term clinical outcome? Comparison of long-term clinical outcomes between antecedent hypertension and diabetes mellitus in South Korean acute myocardial infarction patients after stent implantation

BACKGROUND

Hypertension and diabetes mellitus (DM) are major risk factors for the cardiovascular disease. In this retrospective cohort study, we compared the long-term clinical outcomes between antecedent hypertension and DM in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients after stent implantation.

METHODS

A total of 32 938 eligible AMI patients were enrolled and divided into the four groups according to the presence or absence of hypertension and DM (hypertension -/DM -[group A, 13 773 patients], hypertension +/DM -[group B, 10 395 patients], hypertension -/DM + [group C, 3050 patients], and hypertension +/DM + [group D, 5720 patients]). The clinical endpoint was the cumulative incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) defined as all-cause death, recurrent myocardial infarction (Re-MI) and any repeat revascularization during the 2-year follow-up period.

RESULTS

After adjustment, the cumulative incidence of MACEs (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.232; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.982-1.567; P = .071), all-cause death, and e-MI Re-MI were similar between the group B and C. However, the cumulative incidences of any repeat revascularization (aHR, 1.438; 95% CI, 1.062-1.997; P = .007), target lesion revascularization (TLR) (aHR, 2.467; 95% CI, 1.552-3.922; P < .001), and target vessel revascularization (TVR) (aHR, 1.671; 95% CI, 1.256-2.222; P < .001) were significantly higher in group C compared with group B.

CONCLUSIONS

This large number of a nonrandomized and multicenter cohort study clearly demonstrated the detrimental impacts of the hypertension and diabetes on long-term clinical outcomes. Moreover, higher incidence of repeat revascularization after PCI in diabetic AMI patients a major concern until recently.

Long-Term Efficacy of Extended Dual Antiplatelet Therapy After Left Main Coronary Artery Bifurcation Stenting

Limited data exist on the long-term efficacy of extended dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after left main coronary artery (LMCA) bifurcation stenting. This study investigated the long-term clinical outcomes associated with long-term DAPT after LMCA bifurcation stenting. Using data from the multicenter KOMATE and COBIS registries, we analyzed 1,142 patients who received a drug-eluting stent for a LMCA bifurcation lesion and who experienced no adverse events for 12 months after the index procedure. Patients were divided into 2 groups: DAPT >12 months (n = 769) and DAPT ≤12 months (n = 373). The primary end point was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), as a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and stent thrombosis, over 5 years of follow-up. We further performed propensity score adjustment for clinical outcomes. DAPT >12 months afforded a lower MACE rate than DAPT ≤12 months (2.3% vs 5.4%, adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.37; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.19 to 0.71; p = 0.003). The use of DAPT for >12 months was an independent predictor of a reduced likelihood of MACEs (HR 0.34; 95% CI 0.17 to 0.67; p = 0.002). A DAPT score ≥2, chronic kidney disease, and age >75 years were significant independent predictors of MACEs. In subgroup analysis, the use of DAPT for >12 months consistently resulted in better clinical outcomes across all subgroups, especially among patients with ACS, compared with the use of DAPT for ≤12 months. In conclusion, an extended duration of DAPT reduces MACE rates after LMCA bifurcation stenting.

Effects of prediabetes on long-term clinical outcomes of patients with acute myocardial infarction who underwent PCI using new-generation drug-eluting stents

AIMS

We investigated the 2-year clinical outcomes of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and prediabetes after new-generation drug-eluting stents implantation.

METHODS

A total of 11,962 patients with AMI were classified into normoglycemia (group A; 3,080), prediabetes (group B; 3,709), and diabetes (group C; 5,173) groups. The primary outcomes were the patient-oriented composite outcomes (POCOs) defined as all-cause death, recurrent myocardial infarction (Re-MI), and any repeat revascularization. Secondary outcomes were the individual components of POCOs and stent thrombosis (ST).

RESULTS

POCOs in groups B and C were significantly higher than those in group A. Cardiac death (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 1.957, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.126-3.402; p = 0.017) and any repeat revascularization (aHR: 1.597, 95% CI: 1.052-2.424; p = 0.028) rates were significantly higher in group B than in group A. Re-MI (aHR: 1.884, 95% CI: 1.201-2.954; p = 0.006) and death or MI (aHR: 1.438, 95% CI: 1.098-1.884; p = 0.008) were significantly higher in group C than in group B.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, prediabetes showed bad clinical outcomes post AMI. However, larger randomized controlled studies including ethnically diverse population are needed to confirm these harmful cardiovascular effects of prediabetes in the future.

Efficacy and Safety of Guideline-Recommended Risk Score-Directed Dual Antiplatelet Therapy After 2nd-Generation Drug-Eluting Stents

BACKGROUND

Evaluate the safety and efficacy of guideline-recommended risk score-directed dual antiplatelet therapy (GD-DAPT) based on THE PRECISE-DAPT score after 2nd-generation drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation.Methods and Results:We analyzed 5,131 patients pooled from 4 clinical trials. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to current recommendations on the duration of DAPT and their actual DAPT duration: GD-DAPT (n=2,183), shorter DAPT (n=1,540), longer DAPT (n=1,408). The primary endpoint was the rate of net adverse clinical events (NACE) during the first 12 months. The secondary endpoints were ischemic or bleeding events. Overall, GD-DAPT did not affect NACE (1.2% vs. 1.2% for shorter DAPT and 1.7% for longer DAPT) or bleeding events (0.6% vs. 0.5% and 0.9%), and there were fewer ischemic events (2.8% vs. 4.4% and 4.0%, P=0.03) than with shorter DAPT. Especially in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients, GD-DAPT had fewer NACE (1.5% vs. 1.4% and 4.2%; P=0.006) and bleeding events (0.8% vs. 0.5% and 2.8%; P=0.001) than longer DAPT as well as fewer ischemic events (2.8% vs. 4.4% and 4.7%; P=0.03) than shorter DAPT.

CONCLUSIONS

GD-DAPT did not affect NACE or bleeding events and reduced the number of ischemic events at 12 months compared with shorter DAPT. For ACS, GD-DAPT was associated with favorable outcomes compared with non-GD-DAPT. Therefore, GD-DAPT may optimize efficacy and safety.

Optical Coherence Tomography for Coronary Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffold Implantation: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

We investigated whether optical coherence tomography (OCT) guidance would reduce nonoptimal bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) deployment.

METHODS

This was a randomized controlled trial. Patients who required percutaneous coronary intervention for ischemic heart disease were recruited from 2 centers in Korea. The enrolled patients were randomly assigned to receive either OCT-guided BVS (Absorb; Abbott Vascular) implantation or angiography-guided BVS implantation using an optimized technique. The primary outcome was nonoptimal deployment, which was a composite outcome of the following parameters assessed by OCT: a minimal scaffold area <5 mm², residual area stenosis >20%, incomplete apposition of the scaffold struts >5%, major edge dissection, or scaffold disruption. The secondary outcome was a procedural complication defined by the occurrence of no reflow, coronary perforation, or flow-limiting dissection.

RESULTS

Between September 2016 and January 2018, 88 patients (90 lesions) were assigned to OCT guidance, while 88 patients (89 lesions) were assigned to angiography guidance. The recruitment was prematurely terminated in March 2018 because the manufacturer stopped supplying BVS. Postprocedural OCT data were available for 88 lesions with OCT guidance and for 88 lesions with angiography guidance. There was nonoptimal BVS deployment postprocedurally in 35.2% of patients in the OCT-guidance group and in 38.6% in the angiography-guidance group (absolute difference, -3.7% [95% CI, -19.0% to 11.6%]; P=0.64). There were no procedural complications in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

OCT-guided BVS implantation did not reduce the incidence of nonoptimal deployment compared to that of angiography-guided BVS implantation (using optimized techniques).

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02894697.

Ten-Year Clinical Outcomes of Late-Acquired Stent Malapposition After Coronary Stent Implantation

Objective:

The goal of this study was to determine the impact of late-acquired stent malapposition (LASM) on long-term clinical outcomes in patients treated with coronary stent implantation.

Approach and Results:

We investigated major adverse cardiac event during 10 years after 6-month intravascular ultrasound examination using our previous studies database. A total of 732 patients treated with bare-metal stent (54 LASM versus 678 non-LASM) and 529 patients treated with first-generation drug-eluting stent (82 LASM versus 447 non-LASM), who did not have clinical event or censoring at the time of follow-up intravascular ultrasound, were included for the present analysis. major adverse cardiac event was defined as the composite of cardiac death, target vessel–related myocardial infarction, target lesion revascularization and stent thrombosis. Multivariable adjustment and inverse probability weight were performed to consider baseline differences. After multivariable adjustment, LASM was related to a greater risk of major adverse cardiac event (hazard ratio, 1.666 [95% CI, 1.041–2.665]; P =0.0333) and very-late stent thrombosis (hazard ratio, 3.529 [95% CI, 1.153–10.798]; P =0.0271) than non-LASM in patients treated with first-generation drug-eluting stent, but not in those treated with bare-metal stent. Results were consistent after inverse probability weight. Among patients with LASM of first-generation drug-eluting stent, no late stent thrombosis occurred in patients who continued to receive dual antiplatelet therapy.

Conclusions:

The relationship between LASM and major adverse cardiac event might depend on the type of implanted stents during the long-term follow-up, highlighting the clinical significance of polymers and drugs in drug-eluting stent system.

Long-Term Clinical Outcomes and Optimal Stent Strategy in Left Main Coronary Bifurcation Stenting

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to investigate the long-term clinical effects of stent generation and stent strategy for left main coronary artery (LMCA) bifurcation lesion treatment.

BACKGROUND

Limited data are available to assess long-term clinical outcomes after stenting, including use of current-generation drug-eluting stent (C-DES) for treatment of LMCA bifurcation lesions.

METHODS

A total of 1,353 patients who were recorded in 2 multicenter real-world registries were treated by either early-generation drug-eluting stent (E-DES) (n = 889) or C-DES (n = 464). Primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). MACE was defined as a composite of cardiac death or myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, and target lesion revascularization rates during 3-year follow-up. The authors further performed propensity-score adjustment for clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

During 3-year follow-up, the overall MACE rate was 8.7%. Use of a 1-stent strategy resulted in better clinical outcomes than use of a 2-stent strategy (4.7% vs. 18.6%, hazard ratio [HR]: 3.71; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.55 to 5.39; p < 0.001). Use of C-DES resulted in a lower MACE rate compared with using E-DES (4.6% vs. 10.9%, HR: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.34 to 0.89; p = 0.014), especially for the 2-stent strategy. For patients with C-DES, the presence of chronic kidney disease and pre-intervention side branch diameter stenosis ≥50% were significant independent predictors of MACE.

CONCLUSIONS

Intervention of LMCA bifurcation lesions using DES implantation demonstrated acceptable long-term clinical outcomes, especially in C-DES patients. Use of a 1-stent strategy resulted in better clinical benefits than using a 2-stent strategy.

ACE Inhibitors Versus ARBs in Patients With NSTEMI With Preserved LV Systolic Function Who Underwent PCI With New Generation Drug-Eluting Stents

The relative superiority of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) on long-term clinical outcomes in patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) with preserved left ventricular systolic function in the era of new generation drug-eluting stents is not well established. A total of 6436 patients with NSTEMI (ACEIs group: n = 3965 vs ARBs group: n = 2471) were enrolled. The major clinical end point was the occurrences of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), defined as all-cause death, recurrent myocardial infarction (re-MI), and any repeat revascularization. After propensity score matching analysis, the cumulative incidences of MACEs (hazard ratio, 1.334; 95% confidence interval, 1.045-1.703; P = .021), any repeat revascularization, and target vessel revascularization (TVR) in the ARB group were significantly higher than that in the ACEI group. However, the cumulative incidences of all-cause death, cardiac death, re-MI, target lesion revascularization, and non-TVR were similar between the 2 groups. Hence, although the mortality and re-MI reduction benefits were similar between the 2 groups, the ACEIs group showed more prominent ability to decrease the occurrences of MACEs, any repeat revascularization, and TVR compared to the ARBs group in these patients during a 2-year follow-up period.

Relation of Preprocedural Hemoglobin Level to Outcomes After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Adverse effects have been reported in patients with preprocedural anemia after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), but data regarding the relation between elevated hemoglobin (Hb) level and post-PCI prognosis remain limited. This study assessed the impact of elevated Hb on major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event (MACCE) at 12 months, a composite of all-cause mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and ischemic stroke after PCI. We pooled patient-level data from four Korean multicenter drug-eluting stent registries from 2010 to 2016. In total, 5,107 patients were divided into 5 categories according to the baseline Hb level (<10, 10 to 12.9, 13 to 14.9, 15 to 16.9 and ≥17 g/dl). Patients with higher Hb levels were significantly younger, predominantly male, current smokers with higher body mass index, and more frequent dyslipidemia. Hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and cerebrovascular accident were more prevalent in lower Hb groups. Categorically, a U-shaped curvilinear relation was observed between baseline Hb and clinical outcomes showing significantly higher MACCE rate in <10g/dl (hazard ratio [HR], 4.62 [2.81 to 7.68]) and ≥17 g/dl (HR, 4.06 [1.57 to 10.5]) groups compared with the reference group (13 to 14.9 g/dl), especially in men. In nonanemic patients (Hb ≥13 g/dl), adjusted HRs of MACCE, mortality, and stroke were significantly higher in ≥17 g/dl group than in the reference group. Furthermore, ≥17 g/dl was an independent predictor for MACCE and all-cause mortality after PCI. In conclusion, not only low Hb but also elevated Hb of ≥17 g/dl was significantly associated with higher MACCE rates and all-cause mortality after PCI. An appropriate treatment strategy for patients with high Hb level should be identified through future studies.

Editor's Choice - Impact of Endovascular Pedal Artery Revascularisation on Wound Healing in Patients With Critical Limb Ischaemia

OBJECTIVE

The present study investigated the impact of endovascular pedal artery revascularisation (PAR) on the clinical outcomes of patients with critical limb ischaemia (CLI).

METHODS

This retrospective analysis of a single centre cohort included 239 patients who underwent endovascular revascularisation of infrapopliteal arteries for a chronic ischaemic wound. PAR was attempted in 141 patients during the procedure. After propensity score matching, there were 87 pairs of patients with and without PAR.

RESULTS

After the matching, the two groups showed balanced baseline clinical and lesion characteristics. PAR was achieved in 60.9% of the PAR group. Direct angiosome flow was more frequently obtained in the PAR group than in the non-PAR group (81.6% vs. 34.5%; p < .001). Subintimal angioplasty (47.1% vs. 29.9%; p = .019) and pedal-plantar loop technique (18.4% vs. 0%; p < .001) were more frequent in the PAR group. At the one year follow up, the PAR group showed greater freedom from major amputation (96.3% vs. 84.2%; p = .009). The wound healing rate, overall survival, major adverse limb event, and freedom from re-intervention did not differ significantly between the two groups. However, the patient subgroup with successful PAR showed a higher wound healing rate than the non-PAR group (76.0% vs. 67.0%; p = .031). In a multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model, successful PAR (hazard ratio [HR] 1.564, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.068-2.290; p = .022) was identified as an independent factor associated with improved wound healing, whereas gangrene (HR 0.659, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.471-0.923; p = .015), C reactive protein >3 mg/dL (HR 0.591, 95% CI 0.386-0.904; p = .015), and pre-procedural absence of pedal arch (HR 0.628, 95% CI 0.431-0.916; p = .016) were associated with impaired wound healing.

CONCLUSION

Successful PAR significantly improved wound healing in patients with CLI. Thus, efforts should be made to revascularise the pedal arteries, especially when the pedal arch is completely absent.

Impact of stent generation on 2-year clinical outcomes in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients with multivessel disease who underwent culprit-only or multivessel percutaneous coronary intervention

BACKGROUND

Data concerning the impact of stent generation on long-term outcomes in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients with multivessel disease (MVD) who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with culprit-only PCI (C-PCI) or multivessel PCI (M-PCI) are limited.

METHODS

A total of 7,266 patients were separated into the two groups, a C-PCI (n = 4,901) or M-PCI group (n = 2,365). The primary endpoint was the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) defined as all-cause death, recurrent myocardial infarction, and any repeat revascularization. The secondary endpoint was the cumulative incidence of stent thrombosis (ST) at 2 years.

RESULTS

The cumulative incidence of MACE was significantly higher in the bare-metal stents (BMS) group than the first-generation (1G)-drug-eluting stents (DES) (C-PCI: adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.940; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.389-2.709; p < .001; M-PCI: aHR, 1.544; 95% CI, 1.099-2.074; p = .038), and the second-generation (2G)-DES group (C-PCI: aHR, 2.271; 95% CI, 1.657-3.114; p < .001; M-PCI: aHR, 2.999; 95% CI, 1.899-4.704; p < .001). In the M-PCI group, 1G-DES showed a higher incidence of MACE compared with 2G-DES (aHR, 1.639; 95% CI, 1.028-2.614; p = .004). The cumulative incidences of ST in the both groups were similar.

CONCLUSION

The cumulative incidence of MACE was the lowest for 2G-DES, the highest for BMS, and intermediate for 1G-DES in the STEMI patients with MVD after C-PCI or M-PCI. However, cumulative incidence of ST in the two different reperfusion strategy groups was similar regardless of stent generation.

Impact of late stent malapposition after drug-eluting stent implantation on long-term clinical outcomes

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The impact of late drug-eluting stent (DES) malapposition detected by optical coherence tomography (OCT) on long-term clinical outcomes has not been clearly established. We evaluated long-term clinical outcomes of late stent malapposition (LSM) detected by OCT in a qualified study population.

METHODS

A total of 428 patients were selected from previous randomized OCT studies that evaluated the degree of strut coverage of different DESs at a 3-12-month follow-up OCT examination. These patients were assigned to one of two groups based on the presence (n = 136) or absence (n = 292) of LSM on follow-up OCT images (performed at 7.0 ± 3.4 months after DES implantation). The cumulative rates of composite events (cardiac death, target-vessel-related myocardial infarction, target-vessel revascularization, and stent thrombosis) were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

During 73.7 ± 18.3 months of follow-up, cardiac death or (very) late stent thrombosis did not occur in either group. The cumulative rate of composite events was similar among the patients in each group (6.2% in patients with LSM vs. 11.7% in those without LSM) [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.569, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.257-1.257, p = 0.163]. Target vessel-related myocardial infarction occurred in 0.7% of patients with LSM vs. 1.5% of those without LSM (HR = 0.521, 95% CI = 0.058-4.670, p = 0.560). Target-vessel revascularization was performed in 5.4% of patients with LSM vs. 10.2% of those without LSM (HR = 0.574, 95% CI = 0.246-1.343, p = 0.201).

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiac death or (very) late stent thrombosis did not occur in patients with OCT-detected LSM during long-term follow-up. The presence of OCT-detected LSM was not associated with adverse clinical events.

Severe Acute Stent Malapposition After Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation: Effects on Long-Term Clinical Outcomes

Background

The effects of severe acute stent malapposition (ASM) after drug‐eluting stent implantation on long‐term clinical outcomes are not clearly understood. We evaluated long‐term clinical outcomes of severe ASM using optical coherence tomography.

Methods and Results

We pooled patient‐ and lesion‐level data from 6 randomized studies. Five studies investigated follow‐up drug‐eluting stent strut coverage and one investigated ASM. In this data set, a total of 436 patients with 444 lesions underwent postintervention optical coherence tomography examination and these data were included in the analysis. Severe ASM was defined as lesions with ≥400 μm of maximum malapposed distance or ≥1 mm of maximum malapposed length. Composite events (cardiac death, target lesion–related myocardial infarction, target lesion revascularization, and stent thrombosis) were compared between patients with and without severe ASM. The postintervention optical coherence tomography findings indicated that 62 (14.2%) patients had lesions with ≥400 μm of maximum malapposed distance and 186 (42.7%) patients had lesions with ≥1 mm of maximum malapposed length. The 5‐year clinical follow‐up was completed in 371 (86.1%) of the eligible 431 patients. The cumulative rate of composite events was similar among the patients in each group during 5‐year follow‐up: 3.3% in patients with ASM ≥400 μm of maximum malapposed distance versus 3.1% in those with no ASM or ASM <400 μm of maximum malapposed distance (P=0.89), and 1.2% in patients with ASM ≥1 mm of maximum malapposed length versus 4.6% in those with no ASM or ASM <1 mm of maximum malapposed length (P=0.06).

Conclusions

During the 5‐year follow‐up, ASM severity was not associated with long‐term clinical outcomes in patients treated with drug‐eluting stents.

Randomized evaluation of ticagrelor monotherapy after 3-month dual-antiplatelet therapy in patients with acute coronary syndrome treated with new-generation sirolimus-eluting stents: TICO trial rationale and design

BACKGROUND

Ticagrelor monotherapy after short-term dual-antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) may optimize ischemic and bleeding risks, particularly for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients, because its strategy is less potent than ticagrelor-based DAPT but more potent than aspirin or clopidogrel monotherapy.

METHODS

The TICO randomized open-label trial will evaluate whether ticagrelor monotherapy following 3-month DAPT is superior to 12-month ticagrelor-based DAPT in terms of net adverse clinical events (NACE) including efficacy and safety in ACS patients treated with ultrathin bioresorbable polymer sirolimus-eluting stents (BP-SES). Patients undergoing BP-SES implantation for ACS treatment will be randomized in a 1:1 fashion to the (1) ticagrelor monotherapy group after 3-month DAPT; or the (2) 12-month DAPT group. The primary endpoint is NACE within 12 months of percutaneous coronary intervention, which includes major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) plus major bleeding as defined by Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction. MACCE includes the composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, stroke, and target vessel revascularization. Secondary endpoints included each component of the primary endpoint.

CONCLUSIONS

The TICO trial is an ongoing trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of ticagrelor monotherapy following 3-month DAPT exclusively in ACS patients treated with uniform BP-SES. It may provide novel insights regarding the need for adjusted use of DAPT for rebalancing risk-benefit in current practice and changing from the conventional concept of aspirin maintenance to a ticagrelor-based regimen in the management of ACS.

Effect of Perioperative Antiplatelet Therapy on Outcomes in Patients With Drug-Eluting Stents Undergoing Elective Noncardiac Surgery

We investigated the association of perioperative antiplatelet therapy (APT) and outcomes in patients with drug-eluting stent (DES) placement for noncardiac surgery (NCS). In consecutive 23,358 patients who underwent percutaneous coronary interventions between 2005 and 2016, total of 2,179 patients that required 2,179 elective NCS after DES placement were retrospectively analyzed. A net adverse clinical event (NACE), composite of death, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, and major bleeding, was assessed at 30 days. Of 2,179 patients, 937 patients (43%) underwent NCS with discontinuation of APT. For overall, NACE occurred in 10 patients who discontinued APT (1.1%) and 22 patients who continued APT (1.8%) without significant differences (hazard ratio [HR] 0.60, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.28 to 1.27, p = 0.182). Also, adjusted NACE event rates were not different between groups for overall NCSs (adjusted HR 0.76, 95% CI 0.38 to 1.52, p = 0.440), for NCSs >1, ≤12 months after DES, and for NCSs >12 months after DES. Our findings persisted (adjusted HR 1.26, 95% CI 0.51 to 3.10, p = 0.618) when those who continued dual-APT were excluded from the continuation of APT group due to a higher tendency of NACE compared with those who continued single-APT (adjusted HR 2.26, 95% CI 0.98 to 5.21, p = 0.055). However, the patients who discontinued APT for >7 days had a significantly higher NACE than those who discontinued for ≤7 days (adjusted HR 6.93, 95% CI 2.16 to 22.24, p = 0.001). In conclusion, discontinuation of APT may not be associated with higher NACEs 30 days postsurgery compared with continuation of APT, when APT was discontinued for ≤7 days in patients undergoing elective NCS after DES implantation.

Long-Term Clinical Outcomes of Late Stent Malapposition Detected by Optical Coherence Tomography After Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation

Background

The relationship between late stent malapposition (LSM) and adverse cardiovascular events is controversial. Studies are needed to evaluate long‐term (>5 years) clinical outcomes of LSM detected by optical coherence tomography (OCT) after drug‐eluting stent implantation.

Methods and Results

We investigated long‐term clinical outcomes of OCT‐detected LSM in 351 patients who received drug‐eluting stents and were examined by both poststent and follow‐up OCT (175±60 days after drug‐eluting stent implantation) from January 2009 to December 2011. LSM was observed in 99 patients (28%). We evaluated the cumulative rate of composite events (cardiovascular death, target‐vessel–related myocardial infarction, target‐vessel revascularization, and stent thrombosis). During 80.1±24.5 months of follow‐up, very late stent thrombosis did not occur in any patients with LSM. The cumulative 8‐year rate of composite events was 7.3% in patients with LSM and 10.5% in patients without LSM (P=0.822, log‐rank test). We further divided patients into the following 4 groups: patients with both late‐persistent and late‐acquired stent malapposition (n=23), patients with late‐persistent stent malapposition alone (n=45), patients with late‐acquired stent malapposition alone (n=31), and patients without LSM (n=252). The cumulative 8‐year rates of composite events were similar among these 4 groups (0%, 9.6%, 9.7%, and 10.5%, respectively; P=0.468 by log‐rank test).

Conclusions

During long‐term follow‐up (>5 years), very late stent thrombosis did not occur in patients with OCT‐detected LSM. The rates of adverse clinical events were similar between patients with LSM versus those without LSM. Presence of OCT‐detected LSM was not associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes.

See Editorial by Ali et al

A comparison of the impact of current smoking on 2-year major clinical outcomes of first- and second-generation drug-eluting stents in acute myocardial infarction: Data from the Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry

There are limited studies comparing the effect of current smoking on first-generation (1G)-drug-eluting stents (DES) and second-generation (2G)-DES in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients after successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We investigated the clinical impact of current smoking on 2-year clinical outcomes between the 1G-DES and the 2G-DES in AMI patients after PCI.A total of 11,812 AMI patients with a history of current smoking who underwent successful PCI with 1G-DES (n = 4622) or 2G-DES (n = 7190) were enrolled. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) defined as all-cause death, recurrent AMI (re-MI) or any revascularization (target lesion revascularization [TLR], target vessel revascularization [TVR], and non-TVR). The secondary endpoint was the incidence of definite or probable stent thrombosis (ST).Two propensity score-matched (PSM) groups (3900 pairs, n = 7800, C-statistic = .708) were generated. After PSM analysis, the 2-year cumulative incidence of MACE was significantly higher in the 1G-DES group compared with the 2G-DES (9.4% vs 7.4%, Log-rank P = .002; hazard ratio, 1.281; 95% confidence interval, 1.097-1.495; P = .002) and this increased incidence of MACE was associated with the increased incidence of any revascularization including TLR, TVR, and non-TVR. However, the incidences of ST, all-cause death, re-MI were not significantly different during 2-year follow-up period.2G-DES was the preferred treatment strategy for AMI patients with a history of current smoking to reduce MACE especially, any revascularization rate rather than 1G-DES in this study.

The Incidence of Non-Cardiac Surgery in Patients Treated With Drug-Eluting Stents According to Age

OBJECTIVES

The impact of age on the incidence and timing of non-cardiac surgery after coronary stent implantation is unknown. We evaluated the incidence and timing of non-cardiac surgery after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation according to patient age.

METHODS

A total of 37,915 consecutive patients treated by DES implantation between February 2003 and April 2014 were included in this study. The number of patients who underwent non-cardiac surgery were as follows: 4263 (11.2%) within 1 year, 5357 (14.1%) within 2 years, and 6311 (16.6%) within 3 years of DES implantation. Patients were divided into four groups according to age: <50 years (n = 5785), between 50 and 59 years (n = 9639), between 60 and 69 years (n = 13,566), and between 70 and 79 years (n = 8925).

RESULTS

The rates of non-cardiac surgery within 1 year among patients aged <50 years, 50-59 years, 60-69 years, and 70-79 years were 8.0% (461/5785), 8.9% (855/9639), 12.1% (1636/13,566), and 14.7% (1311/8925), respectively (P-value for trend <.01). The cut-off age at which non-cardiac surgery was more likely to occur within 1 year of DES implantation was 62 years. The rate of non-cardiac surgery within 3 years of DES implantation reached a peak among patients who were 73 years old (23.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

Non-cardiac surgery with requests for cessation of dual-antiplatelet treatment was frequently performed in patients ≥62 years old who were treated with DES implantation in a real-world clinical practice.

Patient-Centered Decision-Making of Revascularization Strategy for Left Main or Multivessel Coronary Artery Disease

Patient preference plays an important role in daily practice; however, its implication has not been well investigated regarding treatment strategy for complex coronary artery disease. We prospectively evaluated a trend of patient-centered decision-making of revascularization strategy in patients with multivessel or unprotected left main coronary artery disease. A standardized protocol that favors coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) as the primary treatment of choice, rather than percutaneous coronary intervention, was adopted. According to the protocol, patients decided whether or not they received CABG. Among the 763 consecutively enrolled patients, 293 patients (38%) consented to receive CABG. Fifty-six percent of patients with a high Synergy between PCI with Taxus and Cardiac Surgery (SYNTAX) score chose CABG. SYNTAX score was independently correlated with consent to receive CABG in each patient SYNTAX score stratum. In-stent restenosis was an independent predictor of choosing CABG in patients with low and intermediate SYNTAX scores. Unprotected left main coronary artery disease was negatively correlated with the decision to choose CABG in patients with intermediate SYNTAX score. Reasons for declining CABG included refusal of open-heart surgery in 318 patients (68%), mild presentation of angina symptoms in 132 patients (28%), low self-confidence to expect long-term survival in 120 patients (26%), and economic factors in 10 patients (2%). Short-term major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events occurred in about 1% of patients without significant differences between the 2 groups. In conclusion, despite the preferred use of the CABG protocol, more than half of the patients declined CABG. Patient-centered decision-making as well as heart team approach should be considered in real-world practice situations.

Optimal duration of DAPT after second-generation drug-eluting stent in acute coronary syndrome

BACKGROUND

We evaluated optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after second-generation drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation in acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

From pooled analysis of three randomized clinical trials (EXCELLENT, IVUS-XPL, RESET), a total of 2,216 patient with ACS undergoing second-generation DES implantation were selected. Each study randomized patients to a short-duration DAPT arm (n = 1119; ≤6 months) or a standard-duration DAPT arm (n = 1097; ≥12 months). Two-thirds of patients were male, and their mean age was 63 years. Mean DAPT durations were 164 ±76 and 359 ±68 days, respectively. The primary endpoint was composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, stroke or major bleeding during the first 12 months after implantation, analyzed according to the intention-to-treat population.

RESULTS

Demographic characteristics were balanced between groups. Mean DAPT duration was 164 and 359 days, respectively. Primary endpoint occurred in 22 patients with short-DAPT and 21 patients with standard-DAPT (2.0% versus 1.9%; hazard ratio [HR] 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.56-1.86; p = 0.94). Landmark analysis after six-months, no significant difference in primary endpoint between short and standard duration DAPT (1.0% versus 0.8%; HR 1.22; 95% CI 0.51-2.95; p = 0.66).

CONCLUSIONS

Short-duration DAPT (≤6 months) demonstrated a similar incidence of net adverse cardiovascular and clinical events at 12 months after second-generation DES in ACS compared with standard duration DAPT (≥12 months).

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

EXCELLENT (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00698607), RESET (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01145079), IVUS-XPL (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01308281).