Timing of Staged Nonculprit Artery Revascularization in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: COMPLETE Trial

Percutaneous Coronary Revascularization: JACC Historical Breakthroughs in Perspective

Over the last 4 decades, percutaneous coronary intervention has evolved dramatically and is now an acceptable treatment option for patients with advanced coronary artery disease. However, trialists have struggled to establish the respective roles for percutaneous coronary intervention and coronary artery bypass graft surgery, especially in patients with multivessel disease and unprotected left-main stem coronary artery disease. Several pivotal trials and meta-analyses comparing these 2 revascularization strategies have enabled the relative merits of each technique to be established with regard to the type of ischemic syndrome, the coronary anatomy, and the patient's overall comorbidity. Precision medicine with individualized prognosis is emerging as an important method of selecting treatment. However, the never-ending advancement of technology, in conjunction with the emergence of novel pharmacological agents, will in the future continue to force us to reconsider the evolving question: "Which treatment strategy is better and for which patient?"

Comparison of Different Timing of Multivessel Intervention During Index-Hospitalization for Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background: Many patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were found to have a multivessel disease. Uncertainty still exists in the optimal revascularization strategy in AMI patients. The purpose of this study was to assess the outcome of immediate multivessel revascularization compared with staged multivessel percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with AMI.

Method: This was a nationwide cohort study of 186,112 patients first diagnosed with AMI, 78,699 of whom received PCI for revascularization. Patients who received repetitive PCI during the index hospitalization were referred to as staged multivessel PCI. Immediate multivessel PCI was defined as patients with two-vessel PCI or three-vessel PCI during the index procedure. Cox proportional hazards regression models were performed to evaluate the different indicators of mortality risks in AMI.

Result: Immediate multivessel PCI was associated with a worse long-term outcome than staged multivessel PCI during the index admission (log-rank P < 0.001). There was a higher incidence of stroke in patients with multivessel PCI during hospitalization. In Cox analysis, immediate multivessel PCI was an independent risk factor for mortality compared to those with staged multivessel PCI, regardless of the type of myocardial infarction.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated that performing immediate multivessel PCI for AMI may lead to worse long-term survival than staged multivessel PCI. Our findings emphasized the importance of PCI timing for non-infarct-related artery stenosis and provided information to supplement current evidence.

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

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes of patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) with multivessel disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

BACKGROUND

Controversy exists regarding the benefit of multivessel PCI across the spectrum of ACS.

METHODS

A total of 9,094 patients with ACS and multivessel disease (≥70% stenosis in 2 or more major epicardial vessels) undergoing PCI from the Alberta COAPT (Contemporary Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients Invasive Treatment Strategies) registry (April 1, 2007, to March 31, 2013) were reviewed. Comparisons were made between patients who underwent complete revascularization and those with incomplete revascularization. Complete revascularization was defined as multivessel PCI with a residual angiographic jeopardy score ≤10%. Associations between revascularization status and all-cause death or new myocardial infarction (primary composite endpoint) and all-cause death, new myocardial infarction, or repeat revascularization (secondary composite endpoint) were evaluated.

RESULTS

Of the study cohort, 66.0% underwent complete revascularization. Compared with incomplete revascularization, the primary composite endpoint occurred less frequently with complete revascularization (event rate within 5 years 15.4% vs. 22.2%; inverse probability-weighted hazard ratio [IPW-HR]: 0.78; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.73 to 0.84; p < 0.0001). The secondary composite endpoint was less likely to occur with complete revascularization (event rate within 5 years 23.3% vs. 37.5%; IPW-HR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.58 to 0.65; p < 0.0001). Complete revascularization was associated with a reduction in all-cause death (IPW-HR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.73 to 0.86; p = 0.0004), new myocardial infarction (IPW-HR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.69 to 0.84; p < 0.0001), and repeat revascularization (IPW-HR: 0.53; 95% CI: 0.49 to 0.57; p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Results from this large contemporary registry of patients with ACS and PCI for multivessel disease suggest that complete revascularization occurs commonly and is associated with improved clinical outcomes (including survival) within 5 years.

Evaluation and Management of Nonculprit Lesions in STEMI

Nonculprit lesions are frequently observed in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Results from recent randomized clinical trials suggest that complete revascularization after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction improves outcomes. In this state-of-the-art paper, the authors review these trials and consider how best to determine which nonculprit lesions require revascularization and when this should be performed.

Physiology-guided revascularization versus optimal medical therapy of nonculprit lesions in elderly patients with myocardial infarction: Rationale and design of the FIRE trial

BACKGROUND

Myocardial infarction (MI) in elderly patients is associated with unfavorable prognosis, and it is becoming an increasingly prevalent condition. The prognosis of elderly patients is equally impaired in ST-segment elevation (STE) or non-STE (NSTE), and it is markedly worsened by the common presence of multivessel disease (MVD). Given the limited evidence available for elderly patients, it has not yet been established whether, as for younger patients, a complete revascularization strategy in MI patients with MVD should be advocated. We present the design of a dedicated study that will address this research gap.

METHODS AND DESIGN

The FIRE trial is a prospective, randomized, international, multicenter, open-label study with blinded adjudicated evaluation of outcomes. Patients aged 75 years and older, with MI (either STE or NSTE), MVD at coronary artery angiography, and a clear culprit lesion will be randomized to culprit-only treatment or to physiology-guided complete revascularization. The primary end point will be the patient-oriented composite end point of all-cause death, any MI, any stroke, and any revascularization at 1 year. The key secondary end point will be the composite of cardiovascular death and MI. Quality of life and physical performance will be evaluated as well. All components of the primary and key secondary outcome will be tested also at 3 and 5 years. The sample size for the study is 1,400 patients.

IMPLICATIONS

The FIRE trial will provide evidence on whether a specific revascularization strategy should be applied to elderly patients presenting MI and MVD to improve their clinical outcomes.

Complete Revascularization in Acute and Chronic Coronary Syndrome

In patients with multivessel disease, complete revascularization (CR) is the most biologically plausible approach irrespective of definition or type or clinical setting (acute or chronic coronary syndrome [ACS or CCS]). It aims at minimizing residual ischemia, relieving symptoms and reducing the risk of future cardiovascular events. Large evidence supports CR benefits in ACS, predominantly ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, except cardiogenic shock, although optimal assessment and timing remain debated. In patients with CCS, when revascularization is indicated, a functional CR should be attempted. Therefore, heart-team is crucial in selecting the ideal strategy for each patient to optimize decision-making.

Rationale and design of the MULTISTARS AMI Trial: A randomized comparison of immediate versus staged complete revascularization in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and multivessel disease

About half of patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) present with multivessel coronary artery disease (MVD). Recent evidence supports complete revascularization in these patients. However, optimal timing of non-culprit lesion revascularization in STEMI patients is unknown because dedicated randomized trials on this topic are lacking. STUDY DESIGN: The MULTISTARS AMI trial is a prospective, international, multicenter, randomized, two-arm, open-label study planning to enroll at least 840 patients. It is designed to investigate whether immediate complete revascularization is non-inferior to staged (within 19-45 days) complete revascularization in patients in stable hemodynamic conditions presenting with STEMI and MVD and undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). After successful primary PCI of the culprit artery, patients are randomized in a 1:1 ratio to immediate or staged complete revascularization. The primary endpoint is a composite of all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, ischemia-driven revascularization, hospitalization for heart failure, and stroke at 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: The MULTISTARS AMI trial tests the hypothesis that immediate complete revascularization is non-inferior to staged complete revascularization in stable patients with STEMI and MVD.

Editor-in-Chief's Top Picks From 2019

Each week, I record audio summaries for every paper in JACC, as well as an issue summary. Although this process is quite time-consuming, I have become familiar with every paper that we publish. Thus, I have personally selected the top 100 papers (both Original Investigations and Review Articles, and an occasional Editorial Comment) from the distinct specialties each year. In addition to my personal choices, I have included papers that have been the most accessed or downloaded on our websites, as well as those selected by the JACC Editorial Board members. In order to present the full breadth of this important research in a consumable fashion, we will present these abstracts in this issue of JACC, as well as most of the central illustrations, with the realization that a magnifying glass will be be needed for appropriate visualization. The highlights comprise the following sections: Basic & Translational Research, Cardiac Failure & Myocarditis, Cardiomyopathies/Congenital & Genetics, Cardio-Oncology, Coronary Disease & Interventions, Hypertension, Imaging, Metabolic & Lipid Disorders, Neurovascular Disease & Dementia, Promoting Health & Prevention, Rhythm Disorders & Thromboembolism, Valvular Heart Disease, and Vascular Medicine (1-100).

Percutaneous complete revascularization strategies using sirolimus-eluting biodegradable polymer-coated stents in patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome and multivessel disease: Rationale and design of the BIOVASC trial

BACKGROUND

Complete revascularization in patients with an acute coronary syndrome and multivessel disease is superior compared to culprit-only treatment. However, it is unknown whether direct complete or staged complete revascularization should be pursued.

METHODS

The BIOVASC study is an investigator-initiated, prospective, multicenter, randomized, 2-arm, international, open-label, noninferiority trial. We will randomize 1,525 patients 1:1 to immediate complete revascularization (experimental arm) or culprit-only plus staged complete revascularization (control arm). Patients will be enrolled in approximately 30 sites in Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain. The primary end point is a composite of all-cause mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction, any unplanned ischemia-driven revascularization (excluding staged procedures in the control arm at the predetermined time), and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) at 1 year post index procedure.

CONCLUSIONS

The BIOVASC study aims to further refine the treatment algorithm for acute coronary syndrome patients with multivessel disease in terms of optimal timing for complete revascularization (Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03621501).

Complete or Incomplete Revascularization for ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: The PRAMI Trial to COMPLETE

Many patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) have multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD). Following successful primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of culprit lesion, whether to routinely revascularize nonculprit lesions or treat them medically has been debated. Recently, the large-scale, multinational COMPLETE trial definitively established benefit of routine, staged, angiographically guided nonculprit lesion PCI in reducing hard clinical outcomes, including the composite of death from cardiovascular causes or new myocardial infarction, with no major safety concerns. A strategy of complete revascularization with routine nonculprit lesion PCI in suitable lesions should be standard of care in STEMI with multivessel CAD.

Multivessel PCI for Acute Myocardial Infarction: Where Do We Stand After The COMPLETE Trial?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Multivessel coronary artery disease is frequently encountered in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Several moderate-sized randomized trials have suggested that complete revascularization of non-culprit stenoses in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients without cardiogenic shock is associated with improved outcomes driven solely by a reduction in the risk of future revascularization.

RECENT FINDINGS

The Complete versus Culprit-only Revascularization to Treat Multi-vessel disease after Early PCI for STEMI (COMPLETE) trial recently showed that a complete revascularization strategy for non-culprit stenoses for STEMI patients without cardiogenic shock, performed either during the index hospitalization or after discharge, reduces the risk of cardiac mortality or myocardial infarction (MI) driven by a reduction in the risk of MI at a median of 3 years. In STEMI patients without cardiogenic shock undergoing primary PCI, a complete revascularization strategy for non-culprit stenoses, performed either during the index hospitalization or shortly after discharge, improves outcomes and should be considered as the default strategy whenever feasible.

Management of non-culprit coronary plaques in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Approximately 50% of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) have multivessel coronary artery disease, a condition associated with an increased incidence of recurrent ischaemic events and higher mortality. Based on recent evidences, a strategy of staged percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of obstructive non-culprit lesions should be considered the gold standard for the management of these patients. However, several issues remain still unresolved. Indeed, what is the optimal timing of staged PCI is not completely defined. Moreover, assessment of intermediate non-culprit lesions represent still a clinical conundrum, as pressure-wire indexes do not seem able to correctly identify those patients in whom deferral is safe. Intracoronary imaging may help to identify untreated non-culprit lesions containing vulnerable plaques that may portend a higher risk of future cardiovascular events. However, there are hitherto no studies demonstrating that preventive PCI of vulnerable plaques or more intensive pharmacological treatment is associated with an improved clinical outcome. In this review, we discuss the recent evolving concepts about management of non-culprit plaques in STEMI patients, proposing a diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm to guide physicians in clinical practice. We also underscore the several knowledge gaps to address in future studies.

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[Percutaneous Coronary Interventions in Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: 10-Years Follow-up]

Aim      To study long-term results and to identify predictors of death in patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) who underwent endovascular revascularization.Materials and methods This study included 283 patients registered in the hospital registry of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) for STEMI from 2006 through 2009. Analysis of 10-year results included all-cause and cardiovascular death rate, incidence of recurrent myocardial infarction (MI), repeated revascularization, stroke, stent restenosis and thrombosis. Also, a composite endpoint МАССЕ (Major Adverse Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Events) was evaluated, which included death, recurrent MI, repeated PCI, stent restenosis and thrombosis, coronary bypass, and stroke.Results Information about the health condition was provided by 204 (72.1 %) patients. Mean follow-up period was 120.1±9.5 months. All-cause mortality was 25.5 % with cardiovascular death determined in 19.1 % of cases. Recurrent MI developed in 21.6 % of patients; in 1.5 % of cases, recurrent MI resulted from thrombosis of previously implanted stents. Repeated PCI was performed for 31.9 % of patients; in 13.7 % of cases, the PCI was performed for stent restenosis. Coronary bypass was performed for 5.4 % of patients. Incidence of stroke was 10.3 %. Major cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications (МАССЕ) during the follow-up period were determined in 60.3 % patients. According to the Cox proportional hazards regression model, age ≥65 years (odds ratio (OR), 3.75 at 95 % confidence interval (CI) from 1.75 to 8.03; р=0.001) and incomplete coronary revascularization (OR, 3.09 at 95 % CI from 1.52 to 6.30; р=0.002) were independent predictors of death based on data of the 10-year observation.Conclusion      Therefore, at 10 years following endovascular revascularization, STEMI patients showed a moderate death rate with a high incidence of major cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications. The leading causes for fatal outcomes were recurrent cardiovascular complications. The major predictors of death for the coming 10-year period included age ≥65 years and incomplete myocardial revascularization.

Complete Revascularization by Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Patients With ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction and Multivessel Coronary Artery Disease: An Updated Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials

Background For patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and multivessel coronary artery disease, the optimal treatment of the non-infarct-related artery has been controversial. This up-to-date meta-analysis focusing on individual clinical end points was performed to further evaluate the benefit of complete revascularization with percutaneous coronary intervention for patients with STEMI and multivessel coronary artery disease. Methods and Results We systematically identified all randomized trials comparing complete revascularization with percutaneous coronary intervention to culprit-only revascularization for multivessel disease in STEMI and performed a random-effects meta-analysis. The primary efficacy end point was cardiovascular death analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. Secondary end points included all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, and unplanned revascularization. Ten studies (7542 patients) were included: 3664 patients were randomized to complete revascularization and 3878 to culprit-only revascularization. Across all patients, complete revascularization was superior to culprit-only revascularization for reduction in the risk of cardiovascular death (relative risk [RR], 0.68; 95% CI, 0.47-0.98; P=0.037; I2=21.8%) and reduction in the risk of myocardial infarction (RR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.54-0.79; P<0.0001; I2=0.0%). Complete revascularization also significantly reduced the risk of unplanned revascularization (RR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.28-0.51; P<0.0001; I2=64.7%). The difference in all-cause mortality with percutaneous coronary intervention was not statistically significant (RR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.69-1.04; P=0.108; I2=0.0%). Conclusions For patients with STEMI and multivessel disease, complete revascularization with percutaneous coronary intervention significantly improves hard clinical outcomes including cardiovascular death and myocardial infarction. These data have implications for clinical practice guidelines regarding recommendations for complete revascularization following STEMI.

Multivessel vs. culprit-lesion only percutaneous coronary intervention in ST-elevation myocardial infarction

The optimal treatment of non-infarct-related coronary arteries in patients presenting with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has been a subject of debate for many years. Earlier medium-sized randomized controlled trials reported a benefit of multivessel percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) primarily due to a reduction of subsequent revascularizations. Recently, the well-powered COMPLETE trial showed a reduction in the composite endpoint of cardiovascular mortality and myocardial reinfarction through complete revascularization. The present review summarizes the current evidence regarding revascularization strategies in STEMI patients.

Long-term outcomes of staged recanalization for concurrent chronic total occlusion in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction after primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Background

In patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who undergo primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), approximately 10% are concomitant with a chronic total occlusion (CTO) in a non-culprit vessel. However, the impact of staged CTO recanalization on prognosis in this cohort remains disputable. This study aimed to compare the long-term outcomes of staged CTO recanalization versus medical therapy in patients with STEMI after primary PCI.

Methods

Between January 2005 and December 2016, a total of 287 patients were treated with staged CTO-PCI (n = 91) or medical therapy (n = 196) after primary PCI in our center. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event (MACCE), defined as a composite of all-cause death, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), stroke or unplanned revascularization. After propensity-score matching, 77 pairs of well-balanced patients were identified.

Results

The mean follow-up period was 6.06 years. Overall, the incidence of the primary endpoint of MACCE was significantly lower in staged CTO-PCI group than that in medical therapy group in both overall population (22.0% vs. 46.9%; hazard ratio (HR) = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.29-0.77) and propensity-matched cohorts (22.1% vs. 42.9%; HR: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.27-0.86). In addition, staged CTO-PCI was also associated with reduced risk of the composite of cardiac death, nonfatal MI or stroke compared with medical therapy in both overall population (9.9% vs. 26.5%; hazard ratio (HR) = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.19-0.79) and propensity-matched cohorts (9.1% vs. 22.1%; HR: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.16-0.96). After correction of the possible confounders, staged CTO-PCI was independently associated with reduced risks of MACCE (adjusted HR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.28-0.75), the composite of cardiac death, nonfatal MI or stroke (adjusted HR: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.22-0.94) and all-cause mortality (adjusted HR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.13-0.83). Moreover, the results of sensitivity analysis were almost concordant with the overall analysis.

Conclusions

In patients with STEMI and a concurrent CTO who undergo primary PCI, successful staged recanalization of CTO in the non-culprit vessels is associated with better clinical outcomes during long-term follow-up.