Surgical candidacy and selection biases in nonemergent left main stenting: implications for observational studies

Real-World Experience and Outcomes With Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Protected Versus Unprotected Left Main Coronary Artery Disease: Insights from the Veteran Affairs Clinical Assessment Reporting and Tracking Program

The practice patterns and outcomes of protected left main (PLM) and unprotected left main (ULM) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are not well defined in contemporary US clinical practice. Data were collected from all Veteran Affairs catheterization laboratories participating in the Clinical Assessment Reporting and Tracking Program between 2009 and 2019. The analysis included 4,351 patients who underwent left main PCI, of whom 1,306 pairs of PLM and ULM PCI were included in a propensity-matched cohort. Selected temporal trends were also assessed. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) outcomes at 1 year, which was defined as a composite of all-cause mortality, rehospitalization for myocardial infarction (MI), rehospitalization for stroke, or urgent revascularization. Patients who underwent ULM PCI compared with patients who underwent PLM PCI were older (age 71.5 vs 69.2 years, p <0.001), more clinically complex, and more likely to present with acute coronary syndrome. In the propensity-matched cohort, radial access was used more often for ULM PCI (21% [273] vs 14% [185], p <0.001) and ULM PCI was more likely to involve the left main bifurcation (22% vs 14%, p = 0.003) and require mechanical circulatory support (10% [134] vs 1% [17], p <0.001). The 1-year MACEs occurred more frequently with ULM PCI than PLM PCI (22% [289] vs 16% [215], p ≤0.001) and all-cause mortality was also higher (16% [213] vs 10% [125], p ≤0.001). In the matched cohort, there was a low incidence of rehospitalization for MI (4% [48] ULM vs 4% [48] PLM, p = 1.000) or revascularization (7% [94] ULM vs 6% [84] PLM, p = 0.485). In this real-world experience, patients who underwent PLM PCI had better 1-year outcomes than those who underwent ULM PCI; however, in both groups, there was a high rate of mortality and MACEs at 1 year despite a relatively low rate of MI or revascularization.

Adverse clinical events after percutaneous coronary intervention in very elderly patients with acute coronary syndrome

The number of very elderly patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is increasing. Therefore, owing to the need for evidence-based treatment decisions in this population, this study aimed to examine the clinical outcomes during 1 year after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in very elderly patients with ACS. This prospective multicenter observational study comprised 1337 patients with ACS treated with PCI, classified into the following four groups according to age: under 60, <60 years; sexagenarian, ≥60 and <69 years; septuagenarian, ≥70 and <80 years; and very elderly, ≥80 years. The primary endpoint was a composite of the first occurrence of all-cause death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, and bleeding within 1 year after PCI. We used the sexagenarian group as a reference and compared outcomes with those of the other groups. The incidence of the primary endpoint was significantly higher in the very elderly group than in the sexagenarian group (36 [12.7%] vs. 24 [6.9%], respectively; hazard ratio, 1.94; 95% confidence interval: 1.16-3.26; p = 0.012). The higher incidence of the primary endpoint was primarily driven by a higher incidence of all-cause death. When the multivariable analysis was used to adjust for patient characteristics and comorbidities, no difference was observed in the primary endpoint between the very elderly and sexagenarian groups (p = 0.96). The incidence of adverse events after PCI, particularly all-cause death, in very elderly patients with ACS was high. However, if several confounders are adjusted, comparable outcomes may be expected within 1 year after PCI among this population.

Outcomes Following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients With Multivessel Disease Who Were Recommended for But Declined Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

BACKGROUND

Patients may prefer percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) over coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, despite heart team recommendations. The outcomes in such patients have not been examined. We sought to examine the results of PCI in patients who were recommended for but declined CABG.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Consecutive patients with stable ischemic heart disease and unprotected left main or 3-vessel disease or Synergy Between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery score >22 who underwent PCI after heart team review between 2013 and 2020 were included. Patients were categorized into 3 groups according to heart team recommendations on the basis of appropriate use criteria: (1) PCI-recommended; (2) CABG-eligible but refused CABG (CABG-refusal); and (3) CABG-ineligible. The primary end point was the composite of death, myocardial infarction, or stroke at 1 year. The study included 3687 patients undergoing PCI (PCI-recommended, n=1718 [46.6%]), CABG-refusal (n=1595 [43.3%]), and CABG-ineligible (n=374 [10.1%]). Clinical and procedural risk increased across the 3 groups, with the highest comorbidity burden in CABG-ineligible patients. Composite events within 1 year after PCI occurred in 55 (4.1%), 91 (7.0%), and 41 (14.8%) of patients in the PCI-recommended, CABG-refusal, and CABG-ineligible groups, respectively. After multivariable adjustment, the risk of the primary composite outcome was significantly higher in the CABG-refusal (hazard ratio [HR], 1.67 [95% CI, 1.08-3.56]; P=0.02) and CABG-ineligible patients (HR, 3.26 [95% CI, 1.28-3.65]; P=0.004) groups compared with the reference PCI-recommended group, driven by increased death and stroke.

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiovascular event rates after PCI were significantly higher in patients with multivessel disease who declined or were ineligible for CABG. Our findings provide real-world data to inform shared decision-making discussions.

Outcomes of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Protected versus Unprotected Left Main Coronary Artery Disease: Insights from the VA CART Program

Background

Practice patterns and outcomes of protected left main (PLM) and unprotected left main (ULM) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), as well as the differences between these types of PCI, are not well defined in real-world clinical practice.

Methods

Data collected from all Veteran Affairs (VA) catheterization laboratories participating in the Clinical Assessment Reporting and Tracking Program between 2009 and 2019. The analysis included 4,351 patients undergoing left main PCI, of which 1,306 pairs of PLM and ULM PCI were included in a propensity matched cohort. Patients and procedural characteristics were compared between PLM and ULM PCI. Temporal trends were also assessed. Peri-procedural and one-year major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were compared using cumulative incidence plots. The primary outcome was MACE outcomes at 1-year, which was defined as a composite of all-cause mortality, rehospitalization for myocardial infarction (MI), rehospitalization for stroke or urgent revascularization.

Results

ULM PCI patients in comparison to PLM PCI were older (71.5 vs 69.2; P < 0.001), more clinically complex and more likely to present with ACS. In the propensity matched cohort, radial access was used more often for ULM PCI (21% [273] vs. 14% [185], P < 0.001), and ULM PCI was more likely to involve the LM bifurcation (22% vs 14%; P = 0.003) and require mechanical circulatory support (10% [134] vs 1% [17]; P <0.001). One-year MACE occurred more frequently with ULM PCI compared to PLM PCI (22% [289] vs. 16% [215]; P = < 0.001) and all-cause mortality was also higher (16% [213] vs. 10% [125]; P = < 0.001). In the matched cohort there was a low incidence of rehospitalization for MI (4% [48] ULM vs. 4% [48] PLM; P = 1.000) or revascularization (7% [94] ULM vs. 6% [84] PLM; P = 0.485).

Conclusions

Veterans undergoing PLM PCI had better one-year outcomes than those undergoing ULM PCI, but in both groups there was a high rate of mortality and MACE at one-year despite a relatively low rate of MI or revascularization.

Treatment recommendation based on SYNTAX score 2020 derived from coronary computed tomography angiography and invasive coronary angiography

The diagnostic performance of the SYNTAX score 2020 (SS-2020) when calculated using CCTA remains unknown. This study aimed to compare treatment recommendations based on the SS-2020 derived from coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) versus invasive coronary angiography (ICA). This interim analysis included 57 of the planned 114 patients with de-novo three-vessel disease, with or without left main coronary artery disease, enrolled in the ongoing FASTTRACK CABG trial. The anatomical SYNTAX scores derived from ICA or CCTA were evaluated by two separate teams of blinded core-lab analysts. Treatment recommendations were based on a maximal individual absolute risk difference in all-cause mortality between percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) of 4.5% ([predicted PCI mortality] - [predicted CABG mortality]). The level of agreement was evaluated with Bland-Altman plots and Cohen's Kappa. The mean age was 66.2 ± 9.2 years and 89.5% of patients were male. Mean anatomical SYNTAX scores derived from ICA and CCTA were 35.1 ± 11.5 and 35.6 ± 11.4 (p = 0.751), respectively. The Bland-Altman analysis showed mean differences of - 0.26 and - 0.93, with standard deviation of 3.69 and 5.23, for 5- and 10-year all-cause mortality, respectively. The concordance in recommended treatment for 5- and 10-year mortalities were 84.2% (48/57 patients) and 80.7% (46/57 patients), with Cohen's κ coefficients of 0.672 and 0.551. There was moderate to substantial agreement between treatment recommendations based on the SS-2020 derived using CCTA and ICA, suggesting that CCTA could be used as an alternative to ICA when making decisions regarding the modality of revascularization.

Outcomes of Medical Therapy Plus PCI for Multivessel or Left Main CAD Ineligible for Surgery

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is increasingly used to revascularize patients ineligible for CABG, but few studies describe these patients and their outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to describe characteristics, utility of risk prediction, and outcomes of patients with left main or multivessel coronary artery disease ineligible for coronary bypass grafting (CABG).

METHODS

Patients with complex coronary artery disease ineligible for CABG were enrolled in a prospective registry of medical therapy + PCI. Angiograms were evaluated by an independent core laboratory. Observed-to-expected 30-day mortality ratios were calculated using The Society for Thoracic Surgeons (STS) and EuroSCORE (European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation) II scores, surgeon-estimated 30-day mortality, and the National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR) CathPCI model. Health status was assessed at baseline, 1 month, and 6 months.

RESULTS

A total of 726 patients were enrolled from 22 programs. The mean SYNTAX (Synergy Between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery) score was 32.4 ± 12.2 before and 15.0 ± 11.7 after PCI. All-cause mortality was 5.6% at 30 days and 12.3% at 6 months. Observed-to-expected mortality ratios were 1.06 (95% CI: 0.71-1.36) with The Society for Thoracic Surgeons score, 0.99 (95% CI: 0.71-1.27) with the EuroSCORE II, 0.59 (95% CI: 0.42-0.77) using cardiac surgeons' estimates, and 4.46 (95% CI: 2.35-7.99) using the NCDR CathPCI score. Health status improved significantly from baseline to 6 months: SAQ summary score (65.9 ± 22.5 vs 86.5 ± 15.1; P < 0.0001), Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire summary score (54.1 ± 27.2 vs 82.6 ± 19.7; P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients ineligible for CABG who undergo PCI have complex clinical profiles and high disease burden. Following PCI, short-term mortality is considerably lower than surgeons' estimates, similar to surgical risk model predictions but is over 4-fold higher than estimated by the NCDR CathPCI model. Patients' health status improved significantly through 6 months.

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in Octogenarians-Risks, Outcomes, and Trends in 1283 Consecutive Patients

OBJECTIVE

To describe the risks, outcomes, and trends in patients older than 80 years undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

METHODS

We retrospectively studied 1283 consecutive patients who were older than 80 years and underwent primary isolated CABG from January 1, 1993, to October 31, 2019, in our clinic. Kaplan-Meier survival probability and quartile estimates were used to analyze patients' survival. Logistic regression models were used for analyzing temporal trends in CABG cases and outcomes. A multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model was developed to study risk factors for mortality.

RESULTS

Operative mortality was overall 4% (n=51) but showed a significant decrease during the study period (P=.015). Median follow-up was 16.7 (interquartile range, 10.3-21.1) years, and Kaplan-Meier estimated survival rates at 1 year, 5 years, 10 years, and 15 years were 90.2%, 67.9%, 31.1%, and 8.2%, respectively. Median survival time was 7.6 years compared with 6.0 years for age- and sex-matched octogenarians in the general US population (P<.001). Multivariable Cox regression analysis identified older age (P<.001), recent atrial fibrillation or flutter (P<.001), diabetes mellitus (P<.001), smoking history (P=.006), cerebrovascular disease (P=.04), immunosuppressive status (P=.01), extreme levels of creatinine (P<.001), chronic lung disease (P=.02), peripheral vascular disease (P=.02), decreased ejection fraction (P=.03) and increased Society of Thoracic Surgeons predicted risk score (P=.01) as significant risk factors of mortality.

CONCLUSION

Although CABG in octogenarians carries a higher surgical risk, it may be associated with favorable outcomes and increase in long-term survival. Further studies are warranted to define subgroups benefiting more from surgical revascularization.

External Validation of the FREEDOM Score for Individualized Decision Making Between CABG and PCI

BACKGROUND

Although randomized trials have established that coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is, on average, the most effective revascularization strategy compared with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with diabetes and multivessel disease (MVD), individual patients differ in many characteristics that can affect the benefits and harms of treatment. The FREEDOM (Future Revascularization Evaluation in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus) score was developed to predict different outcomes with CABG vs PCI on the basis of 8 patient characteristics and the smoking-treatment interaction.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to assess the ability of the 5-year major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) model to predict treatment benefit of CABG vs PCI in the SYNTAX (Synergy Between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery) and BEST (Bypass Surgery and Everolimus-Eluting Stent Implantation in the Treatment of Patients with Multivessel Coronary Artery Disease) trials.

METHODS

This study identified 702 patients with diabetes and MVD to mirror the FREEDOM participants. Discrimination was assessed by C-index, and calibration was assessed by calibration plots in the PCI and CABG arms, respectively. The ability of the FREEDOM score to predict treatment benefit of CABG vs PCI was assessed.

RESULTS

Overall, CABG was associated with a lower rate of 5-year MACE compared with PCI (12.4% vs 20.3%; log-rank P = 0.021) irrespective of a history of smoking (P_interaction = 0.975). Both discrimination and calibration were helpful in the PCI arm (C-index: 0.69; slope: 0.96, intercept: -0.24), but moderate in the CABG arm (C-index: 0.61; slope: 0.61; intercept: -0.53). The FREEDOM score showed some heterogeneity of treatment benefit.

CONCLUSIONS

The FREEDOM score could identify some heterogeneity of treatment benefit of CABG vs PCI for 5-year MACE. Until further prospective validations are performed, these results should be taken into consideration when using the FREEDOM score in patients with diabetes and MVD. (Synergy Between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery [SYNTAX]; NCT00114972) (Bypass Surgery and Everolimus-Eluting Stent Implantation in the Treatment of Patients with Multivessel Coronary Artery Disease [BEST]; NCT00997828) (Future Revascularization Evaluation in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus [FREEDOM]; NCT00086450).

Surgical Turned-Downed CHIP Cases—Can PCI Save the Day?

Current guidelines, rarely if at all, address decision-making for revascularization when bypass surgery is not a possibility for high-risk cases. Patients who are surgically turned down are routinely excluded from clinical trials, even though they remain symptomatic. Furthermore, the reasons for surgical ineligibility are often times not captured in standardized risk models. There is no data regarding health status outcomes following PCI procedures in these patients and the ultimate question remains whether the benefits of PCI outweigh its risks in this controversial subpopulation. When CHIP (Complex High risk Indicated Percutaneous coronary interventions) is selected for these very complex individuals, there is no unanimity regarding the goals for interventional revascularization (for instance, the ambition to achieve completeness of revascularization vs. more targeted or selective PCI). The recognition that, worldwide, these patients are becoming increasingly prevalent and increasingly commonplace in the cardiac catheterization labs, along with the momentum for more complex interventional procedures and expanding skillsets, gives us a timely opportunity to better examine the outcomes for these patients and inform clinical decision-making.

The effect of diabetes on surgical versus percutaneous left main revascularization outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

The optimal method of coronary revascularization for diabetes mellitus (DM) patients with left main coronary artery disease (LMCAD) is controversial in the drug-eluting stent (DES) era.

Methods

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing DES-based percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for LMCAD in DM patients and tested for effect measure modification (EMM) by diabetes for adverse events. We included all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies comparing CABG to DES-based PCI including DM patients with LMCAD published up to March 1, 2021. We completed separate random-effects meta-analyses for four RCTs (4356 patients, mean follow-up of 4.9 years) and six observational studies (9360 patients, mean follow-up of 5.2 years).

Results

In RCTs among DM patients, DES-based PCI, compared to CABG, was associated with a 30% increased relative risk (RR) (RR 1.30, 95% CI 1.09–1.56, I² = 0%), while among non-DM patients, there was a 25% increased relative risk (RR 1.25, 95% CI 1.07–1.44, I² = 0%) for the composite endpoint of all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, and unplanned revascularization (MACCE). There was no evidence of EMM (p-value for interaction = 0.70). The mean weighted SYNTAX score was 25.7. In observational studies, there was no difference between DES-based PCI and CABG for all-cause mortality in patients with DM (RR 1.13, 95% CI 0.91–1.40, I² = 0%).

Conclusions

CABG was superior to PCI for LMCAD in RCTs in DM patients for MACCE. Heart teams may consider DM as one of the many components in the clinical decision-making process, but may not want to consider DM as a primary deciding factor between DES-based PCI and CABG for LMCAD with low to intermediate anatomical complexity in the other coronary arteries.

Study registration

CRD42021246931 (PROSPERO).

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13019-022-01795-w.

The Outcomes of Percutaneous revascularizaTIon for Management of sUrgically ineligible patients with Multivessel or left main coronary artery disease (OPTIMUM) registry: Rationale and design

BACKGROUND

Guidelines endorse coronary artery bypass as the preferred revascularization strategy for patients with left main and/or multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD). However, many patients are deemed excessively high risk for surgery after Heart Team evaluation. No prospective studies have examined contemporary treatment patterns, rationale for surgical decision-making, completeness of revascularization with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and outcomes in this high-risk population with advanced CAD.

METHODS

We designed the Outcomes of Percutaneous RevascularizaTIon for Management of SUrgically Ineligible Patients with Multivessel or Left Main Coronary Artery Disease (OPTIMUM) registry, a prospective, multicenter study of patients with "surgical anatomy" determined to be at prohibitive risk for bypass surgery. The primary outcome is comparison of observed to predicted 30-day mortality, with secondary outcomes of patient-reported health status and the association between completeness of revascularization and clinical outcomes. Patient characteristics driving surgical risk determinations will be reported, and peri-operative risk will be assessed using validated scoring methods. Angiograms will be assessed by an independent core laboratory, and clinical events will be adjudicated.

RESULTS

Clinical outcomes assessments will include 30-day and 1-year cardiovascular events, health status at 1, 6 and 12-months, and 5-year mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

OPTIMUM is the first prospective, multicenter study to examine treatment strategies and outcomes among multivessel CAD patients deemed ineligible for surgical revascularization after Heart Team assessment. This registry will provide unique insights into the clinical decision-making, revascularization practices, safety, effectiveness, and health status outcomes in this high-risk population.

Prevalence and Impact of High Bleeding Risk in Patients Undergoing Left Main Artery Disease PCI

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and prognostic impact of high bleeding risk (HBR), as determined by the Academic Research Consortium HBR criteria, in real-world patients undergoing left main (LM) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

BACKGROUND

LM PCI is often reserved for patients at increased risk for periprocedural adverse events. Patients at HBR represent a relevant percentage of this cohort, but their outcomes after LM PCI are still poorly investigated.

METHODS

All patients undergoing LM PCI between 2014 and 2017 at a tertiary care center were prospectively enrolled. Patients were defined as having HBR if they met at least 1 major or 2 minor Academic Research Consortium HBR criteria. The primary endpoint was the composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction (MI), or stroke at 12 months.

RESULTS

Among 619 enrolled patients, 55.3% were at HBR. The rate of the primary endpoint was 4-fold higher in patients at HBR compared with those without HBR (20.5% vs 4.9%; HR: 4.43; 95% CI: 2.31-8.48), driven by an increased risk for all-cause death (HR: 3.88; 95% CI: 1.88-8.02) and MI (HR: 6.18; 95% CI: 1.83-20.9). Rates of target vessel or lesion revascularization and stent thrombosis were comparable in the 2 groups. Bleeding occurred more frequently in patients at HBR (HR: 3.77; 95% CI: 1.83-7.76). Consistent findings were observed after Cox multivariable regression adjustment.

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients undergoing LM PCI, those with HBR are at increased risk for all-cause death, MI, and bleeding. Conversely, rates of repeat revascularization and stent thrombosis were comparable, suggesting frailty and comorbidities as primary causes of worse outcomes in patients at HBR.

Clinical practice patterns and ascertainment bias for cardiovascular events in a randomized trial: A survey of investigators in the BEST-CLI trial

Ascertainment bias is a well-recognized source of bias in research, but few studies have systematically analyzed sources of ascertainment bias in randomized trials in which blinding is not possible and endpoint assessment is not protocolized. In the current study, we sought to evaluate differences in the clinical practice patterns of trial investigators with respect to bias in the ascertainment of pre-revascularization patient risk and the incidence of secondary endpoints post-revascularization. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of active investigators (n = 936) from the Best Endovascular Versus Best Surgical Therapy for Patients with Critical Limb Ischemia (BEST-CLI) trial. The total survey response rate was 19.6% (183/936). Vascular surgeons were more likely than nonsurgical interventionalists to order tests for cardiac complications after both surgical bypass (p < 0.001) and endovascular revascularization (p = 0.038). Post-procedure, investigators were more likely to order additional testing for cardiac complications in open surgery versus endovascular cases (7% vs 16% never, 41% vs 65% rarely, 43% vs 17% sometimes, 9% vs 2% always, respectively; p < 0.0001). Significant variation in practice patterns exist in the pre- and post-procedure assessment of cardiac risk and events for patients with CLI undergoing revascularization. Variation in the ascertainment of risk and outcomes according to the type of revascularization procedure and physician specialty should be considered when interpreting the results of clinical studies, such as the BEST-CLI trial. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02060630.

Mechanical Circulatory Support in High-Risk Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

The use of mechanical circulatory devices to support high-risk elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has become more common as the group of patients considered inoperable or high risk for surgical revascularization has grown. Most of the data examining outcomes in high-risk PCI are observational and retrospective. Limited prospective randomized studies have been unable to show improved clinical outcomes with routine mechanical circulatory support (MCS) in patients with a high burden of coronary artery disease and reduced ejection fraction. The role for MCS in high-risk PCI continues to evolve as understanding of the appropriate groups for this therapy evolves.

Characteristics and outcomes of surgically ineligible patients with multivessel disease treated with percutaneous coronary intervention

OBJECTIVES

In this study we evaluated the clinical characteristics and outcomes of surgically ineligible patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) who underwent multivessel percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

BACKGROUND

Patients with multivessel CAD who are surgically ineligible and undergo PCI are not well represented in large trials.

METHODS

Out of 1,061 consecutive patients who underwent a non-emergent PCI for unprotected left main or multivessel CAD at the University of Virginia Medical Center, 137 patients were determined to be surgically ineligible for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery by a heart team. The clinical characteristics and reasons for surgical ineligibility were collected. The coronary angiograms were reviewed and the SYNTAX score calculated. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score was calculated. Outcomes were determined at 30 days and 1-year.

RESULTS

The mean age of the cohort was 71 and 59% were women. Hypertension, hyperlipidemia, tobacco abuse, and diabetes were common comorbidities. The average SYNTAX score was 22. The most commonly cited reasons for surgical ineligibility were advanced age, frailty, severe lung disease, ejection fraction ≤ 30% and STS score ≥ 8%. Outcomes at 30 days were excellent and better than those predicted by STS for surgery. Frailty and STS score predicted one-year outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients undergoing PCI for multivessel disease who are surgically ineligible have multiple risk factors and comorbidities. Frailty, lung disease, poor left ventricular function, and high STS score represent common reasons for surgical ineligibility. Frailty and the STS score better predict one-year outcomes after PCI compared to the SYNTAX score.

Chronic Lower Extremity Ischemia and Its Association with the Frailty Syndrome in Patients with Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is an important risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases. Peripheral arterial disease affecting lower limb arteries is one of the clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis. The frailty syndrome (Frailty) is a problem associated with diminution of physiological reserves. The ankle-brachial index is a commonly used tool for diagnosing peripheral arterial disease (PAD). The usefulness of the ankle-brachial index (ABI) is limited in people with diabetes because of calcification of the middle layer of arteries. In this population, toe-brachial index should be measured. Frailty may be associated with worse prognosis for patients undergoing revascularization. Amputation may be an important factor leading to the development of Frailty. The risk of amputation and the prognosis after revascularization may be modified by some medications and blood glucose levels. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature about the association between PAD, especially in patients living with diabetes and Frailty.

Acute pulmonary embolism following recent hospitalization or surgery

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a major cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Recent hospitalization or surgery is a leading risk factor for PE, yet there are minimal data examining its effect on treatment and outcomes. We conducted a retrospective review of institutional billing codes for hospitalized patients with acute PE from August 2012 to August 2018. Patients were stratified based on whether they had a recent major medical encounter (MME), defined as surgery or hospitalization within 90 days. Primary outcomes included in-hospital mortality and 30- and 90-day readmission rates. Secondary outcomes included length of stay (LOS), use of advanced therapies, major bleeding, discharge anticoagulation and recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) at 90 days. Outcomes were adjusted for confounders using multivariable regression modeling. 2063 patients were hospitalized for an acute PE; 633 (30.7%) had a recent MME. Patients with a recent MME had a higher average Charlson Comorbidity Index (4.6 vs. 4.0, p < 0.01). Both 30- and 90-day readmission rates were higher in patients with a recent MME (21.7% vs. 14.4%; adjusted OR 1.06 [1.00, 1.12], p = 0.037; 30.8% vs 18.7%; adjusted OR 1.11 [1.11, 1.62], p = 0.003, respectively). After adjustment, there were no between-group differences in in-hospital mortality, LOS, use of advanced therapies, major bleeding, or recurrent VTE at 90 days. In-hospital mortality was higher for patients with a recent medical hospitalization compared to those with a recent surgery (10.2% vs. 5.6%, adjusted OR 1.08 [1.01, 1.15] p = 0.032). Despite recent hospitalization and/or surgery and greater number of comorbidities, patients admitted with a PE and recent MME had similar in-hospital outcomes, but experienced higher readmission rates. In-hospital mortality was higher in those with a recent medical compared to surgical encounter. Clinicians should optimize post-discharge transitional care in this subset of patients.

Comparing 5-year Outcomes of Aorta-Coronary Bypass Surgery and Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Performed with New-Generation Drug-Eluting Stents in Non-Diabetic Patients with Multivessel Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients and Intermediate Syntax Score

Objective

Our main objective is to determine the difference between patients undergoing CABG and PCI with new-generation drug-eluting stents who were non-diabetic during the course of a multivessel acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and intermediate SYNTAX score.

Methods

Between 2012 and 2014, we retrospectively evaluated 1011 non-diabetic patients with ACS in a single center. The patients were followed up up to 5-years. All- cause mortality, cardiac death, myocardial infarction, stroke, revascularization and stent thrombosis were recorded accordingly.

Results

A total of 516 (51%) patients were included in the PCI group and 495 patients (49%) in the CABG group. Stroke occurrence (PCI group: 0.8%, and CABG group: 2.6%, p=0.022), requirement for recurrent revascularizations (PCI group: 13.6%, and CABG group: 8.1%, p=0.005) and the MACE percentage (PCI group: 20.3%, and CABG group: 14.5%, p=0.015) were statistically significant between two groups. However, there was no statistical significance difference between two groups in terms of primary endpoints including death, MI, and stroke (PCI group: 10.9%, and CABG group: 8.3%, p=0.165) and all-cause mortality PCI group 6.2%, and CABG group: 4.7%, p=0.298).

Conclusion

There was no difference in all-cause mortality and myocardial infarction between the PCI and the CABG groups during 5-year follow-up. The frequency of repeated revascularizations was lower in the CABG group than the PCI group. In contrast, the stroke rates were higher in the CABG group.

Contemporary Use and Trends in Unprotected Left Main Coronary Artery Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in the United States: An Analysis of the National Cardiovascular Data Registry Research to Practice Initiative

Importance

Recent data support percutaneous revascularization as an alternative to coronary artery bypass grafting in unprotected left main (ULM) coronary lesions. However, the relevance of these trials to current practice is unclear, as patterns and outcomes of ULM percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in contemporary US clinical practice are not well studied.

Objective

To define the current practice of ULM PCI and its outcomes and compare these with findings reported in clinical trials.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cross-sectional multicenter analysis included data collected from 1662 institutions participating in the National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR) CathPCI Registry between April 2009 and July 2016. Data were collected from 33 128 patients undergoing ULM PCI and 3 309 034 patients undergoing all other PCI. Data were analyzed from June 2017 to May 2018.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Patient and procedural characteristics and their temporal trends were compared between ULM PCI and all other PCI. In-hospital major adverse clinical events (ie, death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and emergent coronary artery bypass grafting) were compared using hierarchical logistic regression. Characteristics and outcomes were also compared against clinical trial cohorts.

Results

Of the 3 342 162 included patients, 2 223 570 (66.5%) were male, and the mean (SD) age was 64.2 (12.1) years. Unprotected left main PCI represented 1.0% (33 128 of 3 342 162) of all procedures, modestly increasing from 0.7% to 1.3% over time. The mean (SD) annualized ULM PCI volume was 0.5 (1.5) procedures for operators and 3.2 (6.1) procedures for facilities, with only 1808 of 10 971 operators (16.5%) and 892 of 1662 facilities (53.7%) performing an average of 1 or more ULM PCI annually. After adjustment, major adverse clinical events occurred more frequently with ULM PCI compared with all other PCI (odds ratio, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.39-1.53). Compared with clinical trial populations, patients in the CathPCI Registry were older with more comorbid conditions, and adverse events were more frequent.

Conclusions and Relevance

Use of ULM PCI has increased over time, but overall use remains low. These findings suggest that ULM PCI occurs infrequently in the United States and in an older and more comorbid population than that seen in clinical trials.

Nonemergent Percutaneous Coronary Intervention on an Unprotected Left Main Coronary Artery Supported with Impella® Heart Pump in Patients Ineligible for Surgical Revascularization

Objectives

We sought to assess if ineligibility to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) constitutes a risk factor in patients who underwent a nonemergent unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with prophylactic Impella® heart pump support.

Background

ULMCA PCI in patients not deemed eligible for CABG is associated with significantly worse outcomes compared to ULMCA PCI in eligible patients.

Methods

Patients from the cVAD Registry and the PROTECT II trial who underwent a nonemergent ULMCA PCI were identified. We compared in-hospital mortality and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event (MACCE) rates as well as 30-day survival and MACCE rates between CABG ineligible and CABG eligible patients.

Results

A total of 331 patients were included (293 Impella 2.5®, 38 Impella CP®); 227 were ineligible for CABG and 104 were eligible. Baseline characteristics were remarkable for a trend toward higher rate of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the ineligible patients. In-hospital mortality (3.52% vs. 5.77%; p=0.383) and MACCE (6.61% vs. 7.69%; p=0.816) rates as well as 30-day survival (92.0% vs. 93.4%; Log-Rank p-value =0.781) and MACCE (88.1% vs. 90.1%; Log-Rank p-value=0.648) rates were not different between the two groups.

Conclusions

The results of our study suggest that prophylactic Impella support appears to mitigate the risks inherent to surgical ineligibility in patients undergoing a nonemergent ULMCA PCI. Our results require further investigation.

Surgical Ineligibility and Long-Term Outcomes in Patients With Severe Coronary Artery Disease

BACKGROUND

In patients with severe coronary artery disease (CAD) requiring coronary revascularization, the prevalence of surgical ineligibility and its clinical effect on long-term outcomes remain unclear.Methods and Results:Among 15,939 patients with first coronary revascularization in the CREDO-Kyoto percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)/coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) registry cohort-2, we identified 3,982 patients with triple-vessel or left main disease (PCI: n=2,188, and CABG: n=1,794). Surgical ineligibility as documented in hospital charts was present in 142 (6.5%) of 2,188 PCI-patients, which was mainly related to comorbidities and advanced age. The cumulative 5-year incidence of the primary outcome measure (all-cause death/myocardial infarction/stroke) was much higher in PCI-patients with surgical ineligibility than in PCI-patients without surgical ineligibility and in CABG-patients (52.5%, 27.6%, and 24.0%, respectively, log-rank P<0.001). After adjusting for confounders, the excess risk of PCI-patients with surgical ineligibility relative to CABG-patients was substantial (hazard ratio [HR] 1.97, 95% CI 1.51-2.58, P<0.001), while the excess risk of PCI-patients without surgical ineligibility relative to CABG-patients was modest, but remained significant (HR 1.37, 95% CI 1.19-1.59, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with severe CAD, PCI-patients with surgical ineligibility had worse long-term outcomes as compared with those without surgical ineligibility and CABG-patients.

Frailty Among Older Adults With Acute Myocardial Infarction and Outcomes From Percutaneous Coronary Interventions

Background

Frailty is a predictor of adverse outcomes after acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods and Results

We estimated the prevalence of frailty among adults age ≥75 years admitted with AMI and examined the relationship between frailty, interventions, and mortality. We used the Premier Healthcare Database to identify older adults with primary diagnoses of AMI. We classified individuals as frail or not using the validated Claims‐based Frailty Index. We described patients’ characteristics and receipt of percutaneous coronary intervention stratified by frailty status. The primary outcome was hospital mortality. From 2000 to 2016, we identified 469 390 encounters for older patients admitted with AMI. The median age was 82 years, 53% were women, and 75% were white. The prevalence of frailty was 19%. Frail patients were less likely to receive percutaneous coronary intervention than nonfrail (15% versus 33%, P<0.001) and much less likely to receive coronary artery bypass surgery (1% versus 9%, P<0.001). There were far fewer interventions in individuals over age 85 years. Frailty was associated with higher mortality during AMI admission (unadjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.43, CI 1.39–1.46). While there was a differential benefit of the interventions because of frailty, frail patients had reduced hospital mortality with percutaneous coronary intervention (frail: OR 0.59, CI 0.55–0.63; nonfrail: OR 0.49, CI 0.47–0.50, P for interaction <0.001) and with coronary artery bypass surgery (frail: OR 0.77, CI 0.65–0.93; nonfrail: OR 0.74, CI 0.71–0.77, P for interaction <0.001) relative to no intervention.

Conclusions

In the United States, frailty is common among older patients admitted with AMI. While these vulnerable patients are at an increased risk for mortality, judicial use of revascularization with percutaneous coronary intervention in frail older patients still confers immediate survival benefit.

Utilization, Characteristics, and In-Hospital Outcomes of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in Patients With ST-Segment–Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Background—

There are limited data on the utilization and outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) among ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients in contemporary practice.

Methods and Results—

Using data from National Cardiovascular Data Registry Acute Coronary Treatment and Intervention Outcomes Network Registry–Get With The Guidelines between 2007 and 2014, we analyzed trends in CABG utilization and hospital-level variation in CABG rates. Patients undergoing CABG during the index admission were categorized by the most common scenarios: (1) CABG only as the primary reperfusion strategy; (2) CABG after primary percutaneous coronary intervention; and (3) CABG after fibrinolytic therapy. A total of 15 145 patients (6.3% of the STEMI population) underwent CABG during the index hospitalization, with a decrease in utilization from 8.3% in 2007 to 5.4% in 2014 (trend P value <0.001). The hospital-level use of CABG in STEMI varied widely from 0.5% to 36.2% (median, 5.3%; interquartile range [IQR], 3.5%–7.8%; P value <0.001). Of all patients undergoing CABG, 45.8% underwent CABG only, 38.7% had CABG after percutaneous coronary intervention, and 8.2% CABG after fibrinolytic therapy. The median time intervals from cardiac catheterization/percutaneous coronary intervention to CABG were 23.3 hours (IQR, 3.0–70.3 hours) in CABG only, 49.7 hours (IQR, 3.2–70.3 hours) in CABG after percutaneous coronary intervention, and 56.6 hours (IQR, 22.7–96.0 hours) in CABG after fibrinolytic therapy. The Acute Coronary Treatment and Intervention Outcomes Network mortality risk scores differed modestly (median, 33; IQR, 28–40 versus median, 32; IQR, 27–38) between CABG and non-CABG patients. Patients undergoing CABG had similar in-hospital mortality rate (5.4% versus 5.1%) as those not treated with CABG.

Conclusions—

CABG is performed infrequently in STEMI patients during the index hospitalization, with rates declining in contemporary US practice over time. There was marked hospital-level variation in the use of CABG, and CABG was typically performed within 1 to 3 days after angiography. Observed mortality rates appear low, suggesting that CABG might be safely performed in select STEMI patients in a timely fashion.

Percutaneous coronary intervention after a surgeon says, "no way"

The rate of surgical turndowns (1.5-2.5%) in this report that went on to PCI is relatively consistent across centers. Unprotected left main intervention in patients turned down for surgery has high hospital mortality. With certain caveats, the HEART Team approach to these unique patients may be the answer.

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.

Smoking status and 30-day mortality in patients undergoing pulmonary resections

BACKGROUND

Smoking status has not been shown to have a significant effect on 30-day mortality after potentially curative resectional surgery for non-small-cell lung cancer, and this is reflected in the guidelines of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in the United Kingdom.

METHODS

A validated prospective thoracic surgery database of consecutive patients undergoing potentially curative resection at a single institution was analyzed. Univariate and propensity analyses of 30-day mortality were performed.

RESULTS

Univariate analysis identified 30-day mortality as significantly lower in current smokers (n = 852, 2.6%) than ex-smokers (n = 1587, 4.9%; p < 0.001). Propensity 1:1 matching of male patients resulted in 727 current smokers being matched to 727 ex-smokers. The overall balance test (χ(2 )= 6.1, degrees of freedom = 8, p = 0.6), indicated a good match. After propensity matching, the mortality rate was significantly higher in current smokers (p = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Current smokers and ex-smokers are statistically different with regard to risk factors for death. This results in a skewed population of current and ex-smokers undergoing resection for non-small-cell lung cancer. Development of a risk model for 30-day mortality revealed that current smokers have a lower predicted 30-day mortality than ex-smokers, a finding that is counterintuitive. Propensity matching balanced the current and ex-smoker groups to correct for group differences. Analysis after propensity matching identified current smoking as a significant factor determining 30-day mortality.

Renin-angiotensin system blockade for the risk of cancer and death

INTRODUCTION

The effects of renin-angiotensin system blockade with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers (ARBs) on cancer remain inconsistent.

METHODS

We searched existing databases from 1960 to August 2015, for randomised controlled trials and observational studies (case-control studies and cohort studies) of ARB/ACEI therapy with a minimal one year of follow-up. Outcomes were incidence and mortality of cancer.

RESULTS

We included 14 randomised controlled trials and 17 observational studies of 3,957,725 participants (350,329 ARB/ACEI users). The users had a lower incidence of cancer in the observational studies (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.73-0.93) but not in the randomised controlled trials (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.92-1.08). The protection persisted for lung cancer (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.75-0.97) but not for other sites of cancer. The relative risk of cancer associated with renin-angiotensin system blockade was reduced along with time of follow-up. Mortality reduction with ARB/ACEI was marginally significant in the observational studies (RR 0.71, 95% CI 0.55-0.93) but not in the randomised controlled trials (RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.89-1.09).

CONCLUSIONS

The significant benefits of renin-angiotensin system blockade observed in case-control studies and cohort studies might diminish in randomised controlled trials. Clinical design, site of cancer and duration of follow-up may affect the clinical outcomes.

Modified inflammation-based score as an independent malignant predictor in patients with pulmonary focal ground-glass opacity: a propensity score matching analysis

Pulmonary focal Ground-glass Opacities (fGGOs) would frequently be identified after widely implementation of low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening. Because of the high false-positive rate of LDCT, antibiotics should be regarded as advocates in clinical management for detected fGGOs. Retrospectively review consecutive patients with fGGOs between August 2006 and August 2012. Then, relative Glasgow prognostic score (GPS) were constructed in three different systems, traditional GPS system (tGPS), modified GPS system 1 (m1GPS), and modified GPS system 2 (m2GPS). Moreover, propensity score matching (PSM) was employed in balancing baseline covariates. After PSM, patients were matched and included in benign and malignant groups as 1:1 ratio. All reported parameters were balanced in both groups and no statistical differences could be detected. Finally, m1GPS exhibited remarkable different distribution between benign and malignant fGGOs. In detail, m1GPS 1 was more frequently observed in benign fGGOs nodules, while m1GPS 2 in malignant fGGOs nodules. Modified inflammation-based score was identified as an independent predictor of malignancies in patients with pulmonary fGGOs. Patients with m1GPS 1 were more likely to be benign fGGOs, while victims with m1GPS 2 more likely to be malignant.

Enhancing the Prediction of 30-Day Readmission After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Using Data Extracted by Querying of the Electronic Health Record

BACKGROUND

Early readmission after percutaneous coronary intervention is an important quality metric, but prediction models from registry data have only moderate discrimination. We aimed to improve ability to predict 30-day readmission after percutaneous coronary intervention from a previously validated registry-based model.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We matched readmitted to non-readmitted patients in a 1:2 ratio by risk of readmission, and extracted unstructured and unconventional structured data from the electronic medical record, including need for medical interpretation, albumin level, medical nonadherence, previous number of emergency department visits, atrial fibrillation/flutter, syncope/presyncope, end-stage liver disease, malignancy, and anxiety. We assessed differences in rates of these conditions between cases/controls, and estimated their independent association with 30-day readmission using logistic regression conditional on matched groups. Among 9288 percutaneous coronary interventions, we matched 888 readmitted with 1776 non-readmitted patients. In univariate analysis, cases and controls were significantly different with respect to interpreter (7.9% for cases and 5.3% for controls; P=0.009), emergency department visits (1.12 for cases and 0.77 for controls; P<0.001), homelessness (3.2% for cases and 1.6% for controls; P=0.007), anticoagulation (33.9% for cases and 22.1% for controls; P<0.001), atrial fibrillation/flutter (32.7% for cases and 28.9% for controls; P=0.045), presyncope/syncope (27.8% for cases and 21.3% for controls; P<0.001), and anxiety (69.4% for cases and 62.4% for controls; P<0.001). Anticoagulation, emergency department visits, and anxiety were independently associated with readmission.

CONCLUSIONS

Patient characteristics derived from review of the electronic health record can be used to refine risk prediction for hospital readmission after percutaneous coronary intervention.

Propensity score matching and randomization

OBJECTIVES

We used elective total joint replacement (TJR) as a case study to demonstrate selection bias toward offering this procedure to younger and healthier patients.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING

Longitudinal data from 2,202 men were integrated with hospital data and mortality records. Study participants were followed from recruitment (1996-1999) until TJR, death, or 2007 (end of follow-up). A propensity score (PS) was constructed to quantify each subject's likelihood of undergoing TJR. TJR recipients were later matched to their non-TJR counterparts by PS and year of hospitalization. Ten-year mortality from index admission was compared between cases and controls.

RESULTS

Overall, 819 (37.2%) had TJR. Those were younger, healthier, and belonged to higher socioeconomic classes compared with those who were not proposed for surgery. Of the TJR recipients, 718 were matched to 1,109 controls. Cases and controls had similar characteristics and similar years of follow-up from recruitment till index admission. Nonetheless, controls were more likely to die (39.5%) compared with 14.5% in TJR cases (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Selection for elective procedures may introduce bias in prognostic features not accounted for by PS matching. Caution must be exercised when long-term outcomes are compared between surgical and nonsurgical groups in a population at risk for that surgical procedure.

Surgical ineligibility and mortality among patients with unprotected left main or multivessel coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

BACKGROUND

Decisions to proceed with surgical versus percutaneous revascularization for multivessel coronary artery disease are often based on subtle clinical information that may not be captured in contemporary registries. The present study sought to evaluate the association between surgical ineligibility documented in the medical record and long-term mortality among patients with unprotected left main or multivessel coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

METHODS AND RESULTS

All subjects undergoing nonemergent percutaneous coronary intervention for unprotected left main or multivessel coronary artery disease were identified at 2 academic medical centers from 2009 to 2012. Documentation of surgical ineligibility was assessed through review of electronic medical records. Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for known mortality risk factors were created to assess long-term mortality in patients with and without documentation of surgical ineligibility. Among 1013 subjects with multivessel coronary artery disease, 218 (22%) were deemed ineligible for coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The most common explicitly cited reasons for surgical ineligibility in the medical record were poor surgical targets (24%), advanced age (16%), and renal insufficiency (16%). After adjustment for known risk factors, documentation of surgical ineligibility remained independently associated with an increased risk of in-hospital (odds ratio, 6.26; 95% confidence interval, 2.16-18.15; P<0.001) and long-term mortality (hazard ratio, 2.98; 95% confidence interval, 1.88-4.72, P<0.001) after percutaneous coronary intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

Documented surgical ineligibility is common and associated with significantly increased long-term mortality among patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention with unprotected left main or multivessel coronary disease, even after adjustment for known risk factors for adverse events during percutaneous revascularization.

Comparative effectiveness of revascularization strategies in stable ischemic heart disease: current perspective and literature review

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are established strategies for coronary revascularization in the setting of ischemic heart disease. Multiple randomized controlled trials and observational studies have compared the impact of the two modalities on the patients' quality of life, mortality and morbidity, as well as the cost-effectiveness of these modalities in different clinical setting. CABG is the preferred strategy for revascularizations in patients with multi-vessel disease, especially in those with higher risk secondary to associated diabetes, left ventricular dysfunction or more complex lesions. PCI is a reasonable revascularization modality in patients with ischemia and single or low-risk multi-vessel disease and those with unprotected left main with low complexity anatomy. Compared with PCI, CABG is associated with less repeat revascularization, better quality of life and improved survival in high-risk patients. Although CABG is associated with higher cost, it is probably associated with a reasonable cost per quality-adjusted life-year gained in many patients. Therefore, CABG will often be a cost-effective strategy, especially in patients with high angiographic complexity and/or diabetes.

Frailty assessment in the cardiovascular care of older adults

Due to the aging and increasingly complex nature of our patients, frailty has become a high-priority theme in cardiovascular medicine. Despite the recognition of frailty as a pivotal element in the evaluation of older adults with cardiovascular disease (CVD), there has yet to be a road map to facilitate its adoption in routine clinical practice. Thus, we sought to synthesize the existing body of evidence and offer a perspective on how to integrate frailty into clinical practice. Frailty is a biological syndrome that reflects a state of decreased physiological reserve and vulnerability to stressors. Upward of 20 frailty assessment tools have been developed, with most tools revolving around the core phenotypic domains of frailty-slow walking speed, weakness, inactivity, exhaustion, and shrinking-as measured by physical performance tests and questionnaires. The prevalence of frailty ranges from 10% to 60%, depending on the CVD burden, as well as the tool and cutoff chosen to define frailty. Epidemiological studies have consistently demonstrated that frailty carries a relative risk of >2 for mortality and morbidity across a spectrum of stable CVD, acute coronary syndromes, heart failure, and surgical and transcatheter interventions. Frailty contributes valuable prognostic insights incremental to existing risk models and assists clinicians in defining optimal care pathways for their patients. Interventions designed to improve outcomes in frail elders with CVD such as multidisciplinary cardiac rehabilitation are being actively tested. Ultimately, frailty should not be viewed as a reason to withhold care but rather as a means of delivering it in a more patient-centered fashion.

A "no-option" left main PCI registry: outcomes and predictors of in hospital mortality-utility of the logistic EuroSCORE

BACKGROUND

Although high-risk left main PCI populations have been previously described, there is little data describing outcomes and the role of the logistic EuroSCORE in surgical turndown cohorts or patients in extremis due to acute infarction or cardiogenic shock from left main ischemia.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with unprotected LM PCI who were surgical turndowns or in extremis were included in this retrospective cohort from 2004 to 2009 at two tertiary centers. Predictors of in-hospital mortality were identified utilizing routine and stepwise logistic regression.

RESULTS

There were a total of 56 patients with mean age of 69 (±13). There were 23 (41%) patients with cardiogenic shock. The mean logistic EuroSCORE was 23.5% ± 21%. In-hospital death occurred in 12 (21%) patients, largely restricted to the shock subgroup (11/12). Univariate predictors of mortality included peak CK levels (P = 0.01), transfusion (P = 0.01), cardiogenic shock (P < 0.002), male gender (P = 0.027), and logistic EuroSCORE (P = 0.01). Stepwise logistic regression yielded logistic EuroSCORE (P = 0.04, OR: 1.25 (95% CI: 1.01-1.56) for every 5% increase) and peak CK level (P = 0.001, OR: 1.23 (95% CI: 1.09-1.40) for every 500 unit increase) as independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. The AUC ROC for logistic EuroSCORE was 0.73; and for logistic EuroSCORE plus peak CK level was 0.89.

CONCLUSION

PCI appears to be a reasonable option in the high risk "no option" LM population, with the logistic EuroSCORE and peak CK levels being independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. Specifically, the logistic EuroSCORE and peak CK level combined discriminate in-hospital mortality with a high degree of certainty.