Impact of left ventricular ejection fraction on clinical outcomes after left main coronary artery revascularization: results from the randomized EXCEL trial

Revascularisation in Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction: A Meta-analysis of Kaplan-Meier Reconstructed Individual Patient Data

BACKGROUND

Coronary artery disease is a common cause of ischemic left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD), for which the optimal revascularisation strategy remains unclear. We aimed to determine whether percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) results in greater survival advantage in patients with LVSD.

METHODS

Study-level (SLMA) and reconstructed individual patient data (rIPDMA) meta-analyses from Kaplan-Meier (KM) survival curves were performed. A systematic search of Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library was conducted for observational and randomised studies published after 2010 that compared PCI and CABG in patients with left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 40%. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality at longest follow-up. The secondary outcomes were myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, repeated revascularisation, cardiovascular mortality, and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) at longest follow-up.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies (11 observational, 3 randomised, 13,063 patients) were eligible for the SLMA. Seven contained digitisable KM curves from which individual patient data could be reconstructed. Study-level analysis found PCI to be associated with increased all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18-1.69), MI (HR 2.10, 95% CI 1.62-2.72), repeated revascularisation (HR 2.39, 95% CI 1.37-4.17), and MACCE (HR 1.58, 95% CI 1.23-2.03), without significant differences in stroke (HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.39-1.92) or cardiovascular mortality (HR 1.42, 95% CI 0.78-2.59). In the rIPDMA, PCI resulted in increased all-cause mortality (HR 1.57, 95% CI 1.34-1.87) and repeated revascularisation (HR 3.63, 95% CI 3.12-4.21) but overall lower risk of stroke (HR 0.62, 95% CI 0.39-0.99) owing to fewer events during initial follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with ischemic LVSD, PCI was associated with higher risk of all-cause mortality and repeated revascularisation than CABG, but lower risk of short-term stroke. (PROSPERO: CRD42021291408).

Ejection Fraction-Related Differences of Baseline Characteristics and Outcomes in Troponin-Positive Patients without Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease

Background: The development and course of myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary artery (MINOCA) disease is still not fully understood. In this study, we aimed to examine the baseline characteristics of in-hospital outcomes and long-term outcomes of a cohort of troponin-positive patients without obstructive coronary artery disease based on different left ventricular ejection fractions (LVEFs). Methods and results: We included a cohort of 254 patients (mean age: 64 (50.8-75.3) years, 120 females) with suspected myocardial infarction and no obstructive coronary artery disease (MINOCA) in our institutional database between 2010 and 2021. Among these patients, 170 had LVEF ≥ 50% (84 females, 49.4%), 31 patients had LVEF 40-49% (15 females, 48.4%), and 53 patients had LVEF < 40% (20 females, 37.7%). The mean age in the LVEF ≥ 50% group was 61.5 (48-73) years, in the LVEF 40-49% group was 67 (57-78) years, and in the LVEF < 40% group was 68 (56-75.5) years (p = 0.05). The mean troponin value was highest in the LVEF < 40% group, at 3.8 (1.7-4.6) µg/L, and lowest in the LVEF ≥ 50% group, at 1.1 (0.5-2.1) µg/L (p = 0.05). Creatine Phosphokinase (CK) levels were highest in the LVEF ≥ 50% group (156 (89.5-256)) and lowest in the LVEF 40-49% group (127 (73-256)) (p < 0.05), while the mean BNP value was lowest in the LVEF ≥ 50% group (98 (48-278) pg/mL) and highest in the <40% group (793 (238.3-2247.5) pg/mL) (p = 0.001). Adverse in-hospital cardiovascular events were highest in the LVEF < 40% group compared to the LVEF 40-49% group and the LVEF ≥ 50% group (56% vs. 55% vs. 27%; p < 0.001). Over a follow-up period of 6.2 ± 3.1 years, the all-cause mortality was higher in the LVEF < 40% group compared to the LVEF 40-49% group and the LVEF ≥ 50% group. Among the different factors, LVEF < 40% and LVEF 40-49% were associated with an increased risk of in-hospital cardiovascular events in the multivariable Cox regression analysis. Conclusions: LVEF has different impacts on in-hospital cardiovascular events in this cohort. Furthermore, LVEF influences long-term all-cause mortality.

Choice of revascularization strategy for ischemic cardiomyopathy due to multivessel coronary disease

OBJECTIVE

Limited comparative data guide the decision between coronary artery bypass grafting and percutaneous coronary intervention for multivessel revascularization in ischemic cardiomyopathy. The study objective was to compare the long-term outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting and percutaneous coronary intervention for ischemic cardiomyopathy.

METHODS

Clinical registries from the New Jersey Department of Health linked to administrative databases were used to compare all-cause mortality, repeat revascularization, heart failure readmissions, myocardial infarction, and stroke using Cox proportional hazards and propensity matching with competing risk analysis in 5988 patients with ejection fraction 35% or less who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (3673, 61.3%) or percutaneous coronary intervention (2315, 38.6%) for multivessel coronary disease between 2007 and 2018. Median follow-up time was 5.2 years (range, 0-13 years); the last follow-up date was December 31, 2020.

RESULTS

After controlling for completeness of revascularization, at 13 years, mortality was 57% (95% CI, 51-63) after percutaneous coronary intervention and 60% (95% CI, 53-66) after coronary artery bypass grafting (hazard ratio [HR], 1.10; 95% CI, 0.93-1.31; P = .28); risk of repeat revascularization was 18% for percutaneous coronary intervention versus 14% for coronary artery bypass grafting (HR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.17-2.25; P = .003); risk of readmission for heart failure was 16% after percutaneous coronary intervention and coronary artery bypass grafting (HR, 1.13,95% CI, 0.84-1.51, weighted P = .10); risk of myocardial infarction was 10% versus 6%, respectively (HR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.18-3.09; P = .007); and stroke risk was 3% versus 4%, respectively (HR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.41-1.53; P = .52). Rate of complete revascularization was lower after percutaneous coronary intervention than after coronary artery bypass grafting and associated with higher mortality after percutaneous coronary intervention (HR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.20-1.52; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Coronary bypass was associated with similar mortality, stroke, and heart failure readmissions, and reduced repeat revascularization compared with percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy if similar rates of complete revascularization were achieved. These findings support consensus recommendations for coronary artery bypass grafting and medical therapy in patients with multivessel coronary disease and left ventricular dysfunction.

Differential Impact of Fractional Flow Reserve Measured After Coronary Stent Implantation by Left Ventricular Dysfunction

Background

Both left ventricular systolic function and fractional flow reserve (FFR) are prognostic factors after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, how these prognostic factors are inter-related in risk stratification of patients after PCI remains unclarified.

Objectives

This study evaluated differential prognostic implication of post-PCI FFR according to left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Methods

A total of 2,965 patients with available LVEF were selected from the POST-PCI FLOW (Prognostic Implications of Physiologic Investigation After Revascularization with Stent) international registry of patients with post-PCI FFR measurement. The primary outcome was a composite of cardiac death or target-vessel myocardial infarction (TVMI) at 2 years. The secondary outcome was target-vessel revascularization (TVR) and target vessel failure, which was a composite of cardiac death, TVMI, or TVR.

Results

Post-PCI FFR was independently associated with the risk of target vessel failure (per 0.01 decrease: HRadj: 1.029; 95% CI: 1.009-1.049; P = 0.005). Post-PCI FFR was associated with increased risk of cardiac death or TVMI (HRadj: 1.145; 95% CI: 1.025-1.280; P = 0.017) among patients with LVEF ≤40%, and with that of TVR in patients with LVEF >40% (HRadj: 1.028; 95% CI: 1.005-1.052; P = 0.020). Post-PCI FFR ≤0.80 was associated with increased risk of cardiac death or TVMI in the LVEF ≤40% group and with that of TVR in LVEF >40% group. Prognostic impact of post-PCI FFR for the primary outcome was significantly different according to LVEF (Pinteraction = 0.019).

Conclusions

Post-PCI FFR had differential prognostic impact according to LVEF. Residual ischemia by post-PCI FFR ≤0.80 was a prognostic indicator for cardiac death or TVMI among patients with patients with LVEF ≤40%, and it was associated with TVR among patients with patients with LVEF>40%. (Prognostic Implications of Physiologic Investigation After Revascularization with Stent [POST-PCI FLOW]; NCT04684043).

Impact of left ventricular ejection fraction on 10-year mortality in the SYNTAX trial

BACKGROUNDS

The impact of reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) on very long-term prognosis following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) has been debated. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of LVEF at baseline on 10-year mortality in the SYNTAX trial.

METHODS

Patients (n = 1800) were categorized into three sub-groups: reduced (rEF ≤ 40 %), mildly reduced (mrEF 41-49 %), and preserved LVEF (pEF ≥ 50 %). The SYNTAX score 2020 (SS-2020) was applied in patients with LVEF<50 % and ≥ 50 %.

RESULTS

Ten-year mortalities were 44.0 %, 31.8 %, and 22.6 % (P < 0.001) in patients with rEF (n = 168), mrEF (n = 179), and pEF (n = 1453). Although no significant differences were observed, the mortality with PCI was higher than with CABG in patients with rEF (52.9 % vs 39.6 %, P = 0.054) and mrEF (36.0 % vs. 28.6 %, P = 0.273), and comparable in pEF (23.9 % vs. 22.2 %, P = 0.275). Calibration and discrimination of the SS-2020 in patients with LVEF<50 % were poor, whilst they were reasonable in those with LVEF≥50 %. The proportion of patients eligible for PCI who had a predicted equipoise in mortality with CABG was estimated to be 57.5 % in patients with LVEF≥50 %. CABG was safer than PCI in 62.2 % of patients with LVEF<50 %.

CONCLUSIONS

Reduced LVEF was associated with an increased risk of 10-year mortality in patients revascularized either surgically or percutaneously. Compared to PCI, CABG was safe revascularization in patients with LVEF≤40 %. In patients with LVEF≥50 % individualized 10-year all-cause mortality predicted by SS-2020 was helpful in decision-making whilst the predictivity in patients with LVEF<50 % was poor.

Impact and Implications of Neurocognitive Dysfunction in the Management of Ischemic Heart Failure

Neurocognitive dysfunction is common in heart failure (HF), with 30% to 80% of patients experiencing some degree of deficits in one or more cognitive domains, including memory, attention, learning ability, executive function, and psychomotor speed. Although the mechanism is not fully understood, reduced cardiac output, comorbidities, chronic cerebral hypoperfusion, and cardioembolic brain injury leading to cerebral hypoxia and brain damage seem to trigger the neurocognitive dysfunction in HF. Cognitive impairment is independently associated with worse outcomes including mortality, rehospitalization, and reduced quality of life. Patients with poorer cognitive function are at an increased risk of severe disease as they tend to have greater difficulty complying with treatment requirements. Coronary revascularization in patients with ischemic HF has the potential to improve cardiovascular outcomes but risks worsening neurocognitive dysfunction even further. Revascularization by coronary artery bypass grafting carries inherent risks for delirium, cognitive impairment, neurologic injury, and stroke, which are known to exacerbate the risk of neurocognitive dysfunction. Alternatively, percutaneous coronary intervention, as a less-invasive approach, has the potential to minimize the risk of cognitive impairment but has not yet been evaluated as an alternative to coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with ischemic HF. Therefore, it is paramount to raise awareness of the neurocognitive consequences in ischemic HF and devise strategies for recognition and prevention as an important target of patient management and personalized decision making that contributes to patient outcomes.

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for myocardial viability assessment: Optimizing surgical revascularization in ischemic heart disease

BACKGROUND

Patients with poor ejection fraction undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting carry higher operative risk and have poor long-term survival. Cardiac magnetic resonance is a useful modality to assess viability which can identify patients likely to benefit most from revascularization. In this study, we aimed to assess the outcome in patients selected for surgical revascularization by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and identify predictors associated with poor outcomes.

METHODS

The study included patients with severely impaired left ventricular function but with at least six viable segments. Patients requiring emergency surgery, undergoing combined procedures, or where cardiopulmonary bypass was required were excluded. Cardiac magnetic resonance was carried out both preoperatively and at six months postoperatively by the same radiologist in all cases. Late gadolinium enhancement was used for the evaluation of myocardial viability.

RESULTS

Amongst a total of 493 segments studied, there were 89 (18.1%) non-viable, 117 (23.7%) hibernating and 287 (58.2%) viable segments. At six months, the number of non-viable segments changed from 89 (18.1%) to 97 (19.7%), with an increase in viable segments from 287 (58.2%) to 374 (75.8%) and a corresponding reduction of hibernating segments from 117 (23.7%) to 22 (4.5%). There was improvement in ejection fraction from 28 ± 5.54 to 37 ± 5.86 (p < 0.0001) in the entire cohort at six months. Overall mortality was 1 (3.2%). Preoperative left ventricular end-systolic volume had the strongest negative correlation with post-operative ejection fraction.

CONCLUSION

Cardiac magnetic resonance aided revascularization is associated with low mortality. Preoperative left ventricular end-systolic volume is an important determinant of postoperative ejection fraction.

STICH3C: Rationale and Study Protocol

BACKGROUND

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the recommended mode of revascularization in patients with ischemic left ventricular dysfunction (iLVSD) and multivessel disease. However, contemporary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) outcomes have improved with the integration of novel technologies and refinement of revascularization strategies, and PCI is often used in clinical practice in this population. There is a lack of evidence from randomized trials comparing contemporary state-of-the-art PCI versus CABG for the treatment of iLVSD and multivessel disease. This was the impetus for the STICH3C trial (Canadian CABG or PCI in Patients With Ischemic Cardiomyopathy), described here.

METHODS

The STICH3C trial is a prospective, unblinded, international, multicenter trial with an expected sample size of 754 participants from ≈45 centers. Patients with multivessel/left main coronary artery disease and iLVSD with left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40% considered by the local Heart Team appropriate for and amenable to revascularization by both modes of revascularization will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to state-of-the-art PCI or CABG.

RESULTS

The primary end point is the composite of death from any cause, stroke, spontaneous myocardial infarction, urgent repeat revascularization, or heart failure readmission, summarized as a time-to-event outcome. The key hierarchical end point is time to death and frequency of hospitalizations for heart failure. The key safety outcome is a composite of major adverse events. Disease-specific quality-of-life and health economics measures will be compared between groups. Participants will be followed for a median of 5 years, with a minimum follow-up of 4 years.

CONCLUSIONS

STICH3C will directly inform patients, clinicians, and international practice guidelines about the efficacy and safety of CABG versus PCI in patients with iLVSD. The results will provide novel and broad evidence, including clinical events, health status, and economic assessments, to guide care for patients with iLVSD and severe coronary artery disease.

REGISTRATION

URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/; Unique identifier: NCT05427370.

Comparison of Early and Long-Term Mortality in Patients With Reduced and Preserved Ejection Fraction Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The aim of this study was to compare early and long-term mortality in patients with reduced and preserved ejection fraction (EF) undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). This meta-analysis followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. Two investigators independently conducted a systematic and comprehensive search of PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus from inception to July 15, 2023, using the search terms "reduced ejection fraction," "preserved ejection fraction," "coronary artery bypass surgery," and "mortality." Boolean operators (AND, OR) were used with medical subject heading (MeSH) terms to refine the search. The reference lists of all included articles were manually searched to identify potentially relevant studies. We restricted our search to studies published in the English language. The outcomes assessed in this meta-analysis included short-term mortality (including in-hospital and 30-day mortality) and long-term mortality. A total of five studies were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled sample size is 94,399 participants. Pooled analysis showed that the risk of early mortality was significantly higher in patients with reduced EF compared to patients with preserved EF (risk ratio, RR: 2.14, 95% CI: 1.50 to 3.06). The pooled analysis also reported that late mortality was significantly higher in patients with reduced EF compared to patients with preserved EF (RR: 1.67, 95% CI: 1.35 to 2.08). The pooled analysis of studies demonstrated a significantly higher rate of both early and late mortality in patients with reduced EF, emphasizing the importance of EF assessment in risk stratification for CABG patients.

Myocardial Function after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in Patients with Preoperative Preserved Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction-The Role of the Left Ventricular Longitudinal Strain

Background and Objectives: The role of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) on postoperative left ventricular (LV) function in patients with preoperatively preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is still being discussed and only a few studies address this question. This study aimed to assess LV function after CABG in patients with preoperatively preserved LVEF using left ventricular longitudinal strain assessed by 2D speckle tracking imaging (STI). Materials and Methods: Fifty-nine consecutive adult patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) referred for a first-time elective CABG surgery were enrolled in the final analysis of this prospective single-center clinical study. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), with conventional measures and STI measures, was performed within 1 week before CABG as well as 4 months after surgery. Patients were divided into groups based on their preoperative global longitudinal strain (GLS) value. Differences in systolic and diastolic parameters between groups were analyzed. Results: Preoperative GLS was reduced (GLS < -17%) in 39% of the patients. Parameters of systolic LV function were significantly reduced in this group of patients compared to the patient group with GLS% ≥ -17%. In both groups, 4 months after CABG there was a decline in LVEF but statistically significant only in the group with GLS% ≥ -17% (p = 0.035). In patients with reduced GLS, there was a statistically significant postoperative improvement (p = 0.004). In patients with preoperative normal GLS, there was not a significant change in any strain parameters after CABG. There was an improvement in diastolic function parameters measured by Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI) in both groups. Conclusions: There is improvement in LV systolic and diastolic function after CABG in patients with preserved preoperative LVEF measured by STI and TDI. GLS might be more sensitive and effective than LVEF for monitoring improvements in myocardial function after CABG surgery in patients with preserved LVEF.

Outcomes of Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention of the Left Anterior Descending Artery

The left anterior descending artery (LAD) subtends a large myocardial territory. The outcomes of LAD chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have received limited study. We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent LAD CTO PCI at a high-volume single center. Outcomes included in-hospital and long-term major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) and changes in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). We performed a subgroup analysis of patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy, defined as an LVEF of 40% or less. From December 2014 to February 2021, 237 patients underwent LAD CTO PCI. The technical success rate was 97.4%, and the in-hospital MACE rate was 5.4%, A landmark analysis after hospital discharge showed an overall survival of 92% and 85% MACE-free survival at 2 years. There was no difference in overall survival or MACE-free survival between those who had ischemic cardiomyopathy versus those who did not. In patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy, LAD CTO PCI was associated with significant improvement in LVEF (10.9% at 9 months), which was further pronounced when these patients had a proximal LAD CTO and were on optimal medical therapy (14% at 6 months). In a single high-volume center, LAD CTO PCI was associated with 92% overall survival at 2 years, with no difference in survival between patients with or without ischemic cardiomyopathy. LAD CTO PCI was associated with an absolute 10% increase in LVEF at 9 months in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Clinical expert consensus document on the use of percutaneous left ventricular assist devices during complex high-risk PCI in India using a standardised algorithm

Over the past decade, percutaneous left ventricular assist devices (pLVAD), such as the Impella microaxial flow pump (Abiomed), have been increasingly used to provide haemodynamic support during complex and high-risk revascularisation procedures to reduce the risk of intraprocedural haemodynamic compromise and to facilitate complete and optimal revascularisation. A global consensus on patient selection for the use of pLVADs, however, is currently lacking. Access to these devices is different across the world, thus, individual health care environments need to create and refine patient selection paradigms to optimise the use of these devices. The Impella pLVAD has recently been introduced in India and is being used in several centres in the management of high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and cardiogenic shock. With this increasing utilisation, there is a need for a standardised evaluation protocol to guide Impella use that factors in the unique economic and infrastructural characteristics of India's health care system to ensure that the needs of patients are optimally managed. In this consensus document, we present an algorithm to guide Impella use in Indian patients: to establish a standardised patient selection and usage paradigm that will allow both optimal patient outcomes and ongoing data collection.

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery Brings Better Benefits to Heart Failure Hospitalization for Patients with Severe Coronary Artery Disease and Reduced Ejection Fraction

Objectives: We compared the outcomes between percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) for revascularization in patients with reduced ejection fraction (EF) and severe coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: Between February 2006 and February 2020, a total of 797 patients received coronary angiograms due to left ventricular EF ≤ 40% at our hospital. After excluding diagnoses of dilated cardiomyopathy, valvular heart disease, prior CABG, acute ST-segment myocardial infarction, and CAD with low Synergy between PCI with Taxus and Cardiac Surgery (SYNTAX) score (≤22), 181 patients with severe coronary artery disease (CAD) with SYNTAX score >22 underwent CABG or PCI for revascularization. Vascular characteristics as well as echocardiographic data were compared between CABG (n = 58) and PCI (n = 123) groups. Results: A younger age (62 ± 9.0 vs. 66 ± 12.1; p = 0.016), higher new EuroSCORE II (8.6 ± 7.3 vs. 3.2 ± 2.0; p < 0.001), and higher SYNTAX score (40.5 ± 9.8 vs. 35.4 ± 8.3; p < 0.001) were noted in the CABG group compared to those in the PCI group. The CABG group had a significantly higher cardiovascular mortality rate at 1-year (19.6% vs. 5.0%, p = 0.005) and 3-year (25.0% vs. 11.4%, p = 0.027) follow-ups but a lower incidence of heart failure (HF) hospitalization at 1-year (11.1% vs. 28.2%, p = 0.023) and 3-year (3.6% vs. 42.5%, p = 0.001) follow-ups compared to those of the PCI group. Conclusions: Compared with PCI, revascularization with CABG was related to a lower incidence of HF hospitalization but a worse survival outcome in patients with severe CAD and reduced EF. CABG-associated reduction in HF hospitalization was more notable when SYNTAX score ≥33.

Association of ejection fraction with mortality and cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease

AIMS

Recent studies suggested that both left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) lower than 60% or higher than 65% were associated with an increased mortality in the general population. Uncertainty remains regarding adverse outcomes across LVEF in coronary artery disease (CAD). The common understanding was that LVEF <40% was associated with an increased risk of mortality. But the threshold at LVEF of 40% was arbitrary because quite a lot of adverse outcomes existed in patients with ejection fraction >40%. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between LVEF and mortality or adverse events in CAD patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 10 252 CAD patients undergoing PCI from an observational cohort were studied. All-cause mortality and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) were set as outcomes. Kaplan-Meier curves, adjusted Cox regression models, and restricted cubic spline analyses were used for evaluation. A total of 137 (1.3%) patients had all-cause mortality, and 816 (8.0%) patients had MACCE during a median of 2.4 years of follow-up. The median LVEF was 64%. All-cause mortality and MACCE rates changed substantially across LVEF categories, and a linear inverse relationship of LVEF with all-cause mortality and MACCE risk was observed. All-cause mortality or MACCE risk increased significantly below an LVEF of 55 or 65%, respectively. Patients with LVEF <55% had a more than 3.5-fold higher mortality than those with LVEF ≥55%. Patients with LVEF <65% had a more than 1.3-fold higher MACCE than those with LVEF ≥65%. Below 55 or 65%, there was a rise in mortality or MACCE. A gradient-response relationship was observed, with an all-cause mortality risk range between 8.6-fold and 3.0-fold increase from LVEF <40 to 50-54.9% and MACCE risk range between 2.4-fold and 1.4-fold from LVEF <40 to 60-64.9%.

CONCLUSIONS

In CAD patients undergoing PCI, LVEF lower than 55% or LVEF lower than 65% was correlated with increased all-cause mortality and MACCE respectively, whereas higher LVEF was not.

Impact of Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction on Procedural and Long-Term Outcomes of Bifurcation Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

The association of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) with procedural and long-term outcomes after state-of-the-art percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of bifurcation lesions remains unsettled. A total of 5,333 patients who underwent contemporary coronary bifurcation PCI were included in the intercontinental retrospective combined insights from the unified RAIN (veRy thin stents for patients with left mAIn or bifurcatioN in real life) and COBIS (COronary BIfurcation Stenting) III bifurcation registries. Of 5,003 patients (93.8%) with known baseline LVEF, 244 (4.9%) had LVEF <40% (bifurcation with reduced ejection fraction [BIFrEF] group), 430 (8.6%) had LVEF 40% to 49% (bifurcation with mildly reduced ejection fraction [BIFmEF] group) and 4,329 (86.5%) had ejection fraction (EF) ≥50% (bifurcation with preserved ejection fraction [BIFpEF] group). The primary end point was the Kaplan-Meier estimate of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) (a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization). Patients with BIFrEF had a more complex clinical profile and coronary anatomy. No difference in procedural (30 days) MACE was observed across EF categories, also after adjustment for in-study outcome predictors (BIFrEF vs BIFmEF: adjusted hazard ratio [adj-HR] 1.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.37 to 5.21, p = 0.626; BIFrEF vs BIFpEF: adj-HR 1.11, 95% CI 0.25 to 2.87, p = 0.883; BIFmEF vs BIFpEF: adj-HR 0.81, 95% CI 0.29 to 2.27, p = 0.683). BIFrEF was independently associated with long-term MACE (median follow-up 21 months, interquartile range 10 to 21 months) than both BIFmEF (adj-HR 2.20, 95% CI 1.41 to 3.41, p <0.001) and BIFpEF (adj-HR 1.91, 95% CI 1.41 to 2.60, p <0.001) groups, although no difference was observed between BIFmEF and BIFpEF groups (adj-HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.61 to 1.24, p = 0.449). In conclusion, in patients who underwent PCI of a coronary bifurcation lesion according to contemporary clinical practice, reduced LVEF (<40%), although a strong predictor of long-term MACEs, does not affect procedural outcomes.

Characteristics and long-term prognosis of patients with reduced, mid-range, and preserved ejection fraction: A systemic review and meta-analysis

AIMS

Patients with heart failure (HF) have a poor prognosis and are categorized by ejection fraction. We performed a meta-analysis to compare baseline characteristics and long-term outcomes of patients with heart failure with reduced (HFrEF), mid-range (HFmrEF), and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 27 prospective studies were included. Patients with HFpEF were older and had a higher proportion of females, hypertension, diabetes, and insufficient neuroendocrine antagonist treatments, while patients with HFrEF and HFmrEF had a higher prevalence of coronary heart disease and chronic kidney disease. After more than 1-year of follow-up, all-cause mortality was significantly lower in patients with HFmrEF 9388/25 042 (37.49%) than those with HFrEF 39 333/90 023 (43.69%) and HFpEF 24 828/52 492 (47.30%) (p < .001). Cardiovascular mortality was lowest in patients with HFpEF 1130/9904 (11.41%), highest in patients with HFrEF 3419/16 277 (21.07%) mainly coming from HF death and sudden cardiac death, and middle in patients with HFmrEF 699/5171 (13.52%) and the non-cardiovascular mortality was on the contrary. Subgroup analysis showed that in high-risk patients with atrial fibrillation, the all-cause mortality of HFpEF was significantly higher than both HFrEF and HFmrEF (p < .001). HF hospitalization was lowest in patients with HFmrEF 1822/5285 (34.47%), highest in patients with HFrEF 12 607/28 590 (44.10%) and middle in patients with HFpEF 8686/22 763 (38.16%) and the composite of all-cause mortality and HF hospitalization was also observed similar results.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, patients with HFmrEF had the lowest incidence of all-cause mortality and HF hospitalization, while the highest all-cause mortality and HF hospitalization rates were HFpEF and HFrEF patients, respectively.

Long-term (≥15 years) Follow-up of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention of Unprotected Left Main (From the GRAVITY Registry)

Long term survival and its determinants after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) on Unprotected Left Main Coronary Artery (ULMCA) remain to be appraised. In 9 European Centers 470 consecutive patients performing PCI on ULMCA between 2002 and 2005 were retrospectively enrolled. Survival from all cause and cardiovascular (CV) death were the primary end points, while their predictors at multivariate analysis the secondary ones. Among the overall cohort 81.5% of patients were male and mean age was 66 ± 12 years. After 15 years (IQR 13 to 16), 223 patients (47%) died, 81 (17.2%) due to CV etiology. At multivariable analysis, older age (HR 1.06, 95%CI 1.02 to 1.11), LVEF < 35% (HR 2.97, 95%CI 1.24 to 7.15) and number of vessels treated during the index PCI (HR 1.75, 95%CI 1.12 to 2.72) were related to all-cause mortality, while only LVEF <35% (HR 4.71, 95%CI 1.90 to 11.66) to CV death. Repeated PCI on ULMCA occurred in 91 (28%) patients during the course of follow up and did not significantly impact on freedom from all-cause or CV mortality. In conclusion, in a large, unselected population treated with PCI on ULMCA, 47% died after 15 years, 17% due to CV causes. Age, number of vessels treated during index PCI and depressed LVEF increased risk of all cause death, while re-PCI on ULMCA did not impact survival.

Network meta-analysis of treatment strategies in patients with coronary artery disease and low left ventricular ejection fraction

OBJECTIVE

The optimal treatment strategy in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) remains controversial. Herein, we conducted a network meta-analysis comparing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and optimal medical therapy (OMT) in patients with CAD and low LVEF.

METHODS

MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched through March, 2021 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and propensity-score matched (PSM) studies comparing CABG, PCI, and OMT. We extracted hazard ratios (HRs) of the outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of three RCTs and 10 PSM trials were identified, yielding a total of 18,855 patients with CAD with low EF who were treated with CABG (n = 9241), PCI (n = 8771), or OMT (n = 1003). All-cause mortality was significantly lower in patients with CABG compared with those with PCI or OMT (HR [95% confidence interval (CI)] = 0.72 [0.62-0.82], p < .001, HR [95% CI] = 0.65 [0.51-0.82], p = .004, respectively), while no difference was observed between PCI and OMT. The rates of MI were significantly lower in patients treated with CABG compared to those treated with PCI or OMT. However, the subgroup analysis by limiting the PCI group to patients who received drug-eluting stent (DES) showed similar all-cause mortality between CABG and PCI, while both CABG and PCI were associated with lower all-cause mortality compared with OMT.

CONCLUION

The present study demonstrated that CABG was the appropriate treatment strategy in patients with CAD and low LVEF. Further long-term trials were warranted to investigate outcomes of PCI with DES compared with CABG.

Clinical factors associated with reduced global longitudinal strain in subjects with normal left ventricular ejection fraction

Characteristics of subjects with reduced GLS but no overt left ventricular dysfunction have been poorly characterized. We sought to find clinical factors associated with reduced GLS despite having normal LVEF. Subjects without documented cardiovascular disease who underwent measurement of GLS using 2D speckle-tracking echocardiography were retrospectively reviewed. All subjects had normal LVEF (≥ 55%). Because GLS is a negative value, we took the absolute value |x| for a simpler interpretation. Reduced GLS was defined as < 18%, and normal GLS was defined as ≥ 18%. Of 690 study subjects (mean age, 58 years and females, 51.2%), 208 (30.1%) had reduced GLS. Subjects with reduced GLS were more frequently male, and had more cardiovascular risk factors than those with normal GLS. In multivariable binary logistic regression analysis, male sex (odds ratio [OR] 3.02; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.02‒4.50; P < 0.001), hypertension (OR 1.52; 95% CI 1.02‒2.28; P = 0.043) and cigarette smoking (OR 1.80; 95% CI 1.14‒2.85; P = 0.012) were independently associated with reduced GLS. The greater the number of these 3 risk factors (male sex, hypertension and cigarette smoking), the higher the probability of having reduced GLS (P < 0.001). In subjects without overt cardiovascular disease who had normal LVEF, a relevant proportion (30.1%) of subjects had reduced GLS. Male sex, hypertension and cigarette smoking were independently associated with reduced GLS. GLS measurement should be emphasized for subjects with these clinical characteristics.

[Acute cerebral circulation impairment associated with percutaneous coronary intervention]

The article deals with generalized literature data on the current importance of the problem concerning acute cerebral ischemia occurring during percutaneous coronary interventions. Pathophysiological mechanisms of the development of acute cerebral circulation impairment are described, with their classification. Also considered are various risk factors which may cause this formidable complication, followed by describing modern methods of its surgical treatment. It is noted that the main risk factors for neurological complications appearing after revascularization of coronary arteries include age, accompanying diseases (instability of arterial pressure, diabetes mellitus, atrial fibrillation, atherorosclerotic lesions of the aorta and brachiocephalic arteries, previous stroke), as well as systolic dysfunction, leukocytosis, and a low level of cognitive function prior to operation. The development of acute cerebral circulation impairment during and after percutaneous coronary intervention is an indication for using methods of endovascular treatment. It is most appropriate to use a combination of direct percutaneous thrombectomy and a stent retriever. It is underlined in the article that removal of the thrombus form the cerebral artery is not an independent surgical procedure but rather a methodology envisaging an operation to be performed from the simplest technique to the most complicated one. As the first procedure, it is necessary to perform thrombaspiration and then, if ineffective, a second stage consisting in thrombextraction with the help of a stent retriever. Besides, in order to increase efficacy of thrombaspiration there have been worked out several techniques combining the use of direct thrombextraction and a stent retriever. Described in detail are 4 most commonly used techniques.

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Versus Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients with Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction

PURPOSE

There is a paucity of comparative data examining the optimal revascularization strategy in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVD).

METHODS

We performed an aggregate data meta-analysis of clinical outcomes comparing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) versus coronary artery bypass (CABG) in patients with LVD (left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) of ≤ 40%), using the random effects model. Effects size is reported as odds ratio (OR) and a 95% confidence interval. Outcomes included all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, repeat revascularization, and a composite of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) at 30-day, 3-year, and long-term (6.3 ± 0.9 years) follow-ups. Seventeen studies (16 observational, 1 randomized) and 18,599 patients (CABG 9651; PCI 8948) were included.

RESULTS

PCI and CABG had comparable all-cause mortality at 30 days (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.49-1.23) and 3 years (OR 1.05, 95% CI 0.91-1.21); however, PCI was associated with increased long-term morality after a mean follow-up of 6.3 ± 0.9 years (31.6% vs. 24.3%, OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.21-1.64). A similar mortality trend was observed in the subgroup of patients with EF ≤ 35%. PCI had a higher rate of repeat revascularization at 3-year and long-term follow-ups. The long-term rates of stroke and MI were comparable. PCI, on the other hand, had lower rates of stroke at 30-day and 3-year follow-ups.

CONCLUSION

CABG was associated with lower rates of long-term mortality and revascularization but higher rate of upfront stroke in patients with LVD. However, the data included consisted predominantly of observational studies, highlighting the paucity and need for randomized trials.