Performance of currently available risk models in a cohort of mechanically supported high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention--From the PROTECT II randomized trial

Quality of Life Changes in Acute Coronary Syndromes Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

There is little up-to-date evidence about changes in quality of life following treatment for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. The main aim of this review was to assess the changes in QoL in ACS patients after treatment. We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis of quantitative studies. The search included studies that described the change of QoL of ACS patients after receiving treatment options such as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and medical therapy (MT). We synthesized findings using content analysis and pooled the estimates using meta-analysis. We used the PRISMA guidelines to select and appraise the studies and report the findings. Twenty-nine (29) articles were included in the review. We found a significant improvement of QoL in ACS patients after receiving treatment. Particularly, the meta-analytic association found that the mean QoL of patients diagnosed with ACS was higher after receiving treatment compared to baseline (overall pooled mean difference = 31.88; 95% CI = 31.64–52.11, I² = 98) with patients on PCI having slightly lower QoL gains (pooled mean difference = 30.22; 95% CI = 29.9–30.53, I² = 0%) compared to those on CABG (pooled mean difference = 34.01; 95% CI = 33.66–34.37, I² = 0%). The review confirmed that QoL of ACS patients improved after receiving treatment therapies although varied by the treatment options and patients’ preferences. This suggests the need to perform further study on the QoL, patient preferences and physicians’ decision to prescription of treatment options.

Safety and efficacy of a novel algorithm to guide decision-making in high-risk interventional coronary procedures

BACKGROUND

Patients with severe coronary artery disease (CAD), comorbidities, or impaired hemodynamics are at risk during percutaneous coronary interventions. The aim of the study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of a novel risk-stratification algorithm for high-risk coronary procedures.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We prospectively screened 1189 patients with CAD requiring revascularization (period 07/2017-06/2018). The algorithm was designed to select high-risk procedures. Patients with elevated risk (n = 150) were classified into 3 risk groups (high-risk intervention [HRI] I-III) and procedural management was adjusted according to HRI group. Overall, 55 patients were categorized as HRI I, 52 as HRI II, and 43 as HRI III. With increasing HRI-level, SYNTAX score increased (HRI I:15 ± 5% vs. HRI II:24 ± 8% vs. HRI III:34 ± 7%; p < 0.001), and ejection-fraction decreased (HRI I:48 ± 10% vs. HRI II:49 ± 10% vs. HRI III:40 ± 11%; p < 0.001). The primary endpoint (hemodynamic compromise requiring mechanical circulatory support [MCS] [HRI I/II], unsuccessful weaning from MCS in the catheterization laboratory[HRI III], or periprocedural death[HRI I-III]) occurred in no case. The secondary endpoint of hemodynamic deterioration occurred in 26% (n = 39) but did not result in hemodynamic instability due to the risk-adjusted procedural management. The composite endpoint of in-hospital major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (death, new myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident) occurred in 4 patients (3%).

CONCLUSIONS

The novel algorithm is a safe team-based stratification method for the identification and management of patients undergoing high-risk coronary interventions.

Impact of patient's health-related quality of life on physicians' therapy and perceived benefit in acute coronary syndromes: protocol for a systemic review of quantitative and qualitative studies

INTRODUCTION

Percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) and coronary angiography are two of the treatments administered to acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. However, whether and how patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL) influences treatment decisions and subsequent risk benefit analyses is unclear. In this study, we will review the available evidence on the impact of patients' HRQoL on physicians' prescribing or treatment decisions and on the estimation of mortality and bleeding risk in ACS patients.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

We will undertake a systematic review of all quantitative and qualitative studies. The search will include studies that describe the impact of HRQoL on prescribing PCIs or angiography, and impact of HRQoL on perceived risks in terms of mortality and bleeding events. We will conduct an initial search on Google scholar and MEDLINE to build the searching terms followed by a full search strategy using all identified keywords and index terms across the five databases, namely MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, SCOPUS and Web of Sciences. We will use the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for protocol guidelines to present the protocol. Only English language articles will be included for the review. We will use a standardised Joanna Briggs Institute data extraction tool to synthesise the information extracted from the selected studies into themes with summary findings presented in a table.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

We will not require a formal ethical approval as we will not be collecting primary data. Review findings will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed publication, workshops, conference presentations and a media release.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42018108438.

Treatment of Higher-Risk Patients With an Indication for Revascularization: Evolution Within the Field of Contemporary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Patients with severe coronary artery disease with a clinical indication for revascularization but who are at high procedural risk because of patient comorbidities, complexity of coronary anatomy, and/or poor hemodynamics represent an understudied and potentially underserved patient population. Through advances in percutaneous interventional techniques and technologies and improvements in patient selection, current percutaneous coronary intervention may allow appropriate patients to benefit safely from revascularization procedures that might not have been offered in the past. The burgeoning interest in these procedures in some respects reflects an evolutionary step within the field of percutaneous coronary intervention. However, because of the clinical complexity of many of these patients and procedures, it is critical to develop dedicated specialists within interventional cardiology who are trained with the cognitive and technical skills to select these patients appropriately and to perform these procedures safely. Preprocedural issues such as multidisciplinary risk and treatment assessments are highly relevant to the successful treatment of these patients, and knowledge gaps and future directions to improve outcomes in this emerging area are discussed. Ultimately, an evolution of contemporary interventional cardiology is necessary to treat the increasingly higher-risk patients with whom we are confronted.