Standardizing the Definition and Analysis Methodology for Complete Coronary Artery Revascularization

Impella Versus Non-Impella for Nonemergent High-Risk Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

The benefit of mechanical circulatory support with Impella (Abiomed, Inc., Danvers, Massachusetts) for high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (HR-PCI) is uncertain. PROTECT III registry data showed improved outcomes with Impella compared with historical data (PROTECT II) but lack a direct comparison with the HR-PCI cohort without Impella support. We retrospectively identified patients meeting the PROTECT III inclusion criteria for HR-PCI and compared this group (non-Impella cohort [NonIMP]) with the outcomes data from the PROTECT III registry (Impella cohort). Baseline differences were balanced using inverse propensity weighting. The coprimary outcome was major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in-hospital and at 90 days. A total of 283 patients at great risk did not receive Impella support; 200 patients had 90-day event ascertainment and were included in the inverse propensity weighting analysis and compared with 504 patients in the Impella cohort group. After calibration, few residual differences remained between groups. The primary outcome was not different in-hospital (3.0% vs 4.8%, p = 0.403) but less in NonIMP at 90 days (7.5% vs 13.8%, p = 0.033). Periprocedural vascular complications, bleeding, and transfusion rate did not differ between groups; however, acute kidney injury occurred more frequently in the NonIMP group (10.5% vs 5.4%, p = 0.023). In conclusion, under identical HR-PCI inclusion criteria for Impella use in PROTECT III, an institutional non-Impella-supported HR-PCI cohort showed similar MACE in-hospital but fewer MACE at 90 days, whereas there was no signal for periprocedural harm with Impella use. These results do not support routine usage of Impella for patients with HR-PCI.

Outcomes of quantitative flow ratio-based functional incomplete revascularization after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery

OBJECTIVE

Quantitative flow ratio is a novel functional assessment tool of coronary diseases. Whether quantitative flow ratio could improve the outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting is undetermined. This study aimed to investigate the association between the quantitative flow ratio based functional incomplete revascularization and the outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.

METHODS

The quantitative flow ratio assessment was retrospectively performed in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery in the PATENCY trial. The anatomic complete revascularization denoted revascularizing each territory with stenosis greater than 50% evaluated by angiography. The functional complete revascularization was defined as grafting all vessels with a quantitative flow ratio 0.80 or less. The primary end point was the 12-month composite major adverse cardiac or cerebral vascular events.

RESULTS

A total of 2024 patients with available quantitative flow ratio values were included. Functional complete revascularization was achieved in 1846 patients (91.2%), and 1600 received anatomic complete revascularization (79.1%). Both the functional incomplete revascularization and anatomic incomplete revascularization groups were associated with significantly increased risks of 12-month major adverse cardiac or cerebral vascular events (functional: hazard ratio, 2.91; 95% confidence interval, 1.56 to 5.43; P = .001; anatomic: hazard ratio, 2.82; 95% confidence interval, 1.54 to 5.16; P = .001). Additionally, for the subgroup of patients (n = 246) receiving anatomic incomplete revascularization but judged as functional complete revascularization by quantitative flow ratio, the risk of the 12-month major adverse cardiac or cerebral vascular events was not significantly increased (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.36; 95% confidence interval, 0.71-2.60; P = .35).

CONCLUSIONS

Both the functional incomplete revascularization and anatomic incomplete revascularization were associated with increased risks of 12-month major adverse cardiac or cerebral vascular events after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. The quantitative flow ratio can serve as a supplementary tool for the decision-making of surgical revascularization.

The impact of incomplete revascularization on survival in minimal invasive off-pump coronary artery surgery: a propensity score analysis of 1,149 cases

Background

Minimally invasive concepts are increasingly influential in modern cardiac surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of completeness of revascularization on clinical outcomes and overall survival in minimally invasive, thoracoscopic coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated a consecutive series of 1,149 patients who underwent minimally invasive off-pump CABG with single, double, or triple-vessel revascularization between 2007 and 2018. Of these patients, 185 (16.1%) had incomplete revascularization (IR) (group I), and 964 (83.9%) had complete revascularization (CR) (group C). We used gradient boosted propensity score estimation to account for possible confounding variables.

Results

Median age was 69 years, interquartile range (IQR) 60-76 years, and median EuroSCORE II was 4, IQR 2-7. Of the 1,149 patients, 495 patients suffered from two vessel disease (VD) and 353 presented with three VD. Long-term median follow-up 5.58 (3.27-8.48) years was available for 1,089 patients (94.8%). The incidence of recurrent or persisting angina, myocardial infarction, redo-bypass surgery, and stroke during follow-up did not differ significantly between groups. During follow-up, there were 47 deaths in group I and 172 deaths in group C. The 1-, 3-, 5-, 8-, and 10-year unadjusted survival rates were 94%, 84%, 75%, 62%, and 51% for group I, and 97%, 94%, 88%, 77%, and 72% for group C, respectively (long-rank test P<0.001), favouring CR. Following risk adjustment the long-rank test P value for survival was 0.23.

Conclusions

In minimally invasive coronary surgery, IR resulted in decreased long-term survival, but did not achieve statistical significance after risk adjustment. However, IR should only be used in carefully selected cases.

Impact of Incomplete Revascularization After PCI in Left Main Disease: The EXCEL Trial

BACKGROUND

The importance of complete revascularization after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with left main coronary artery disease is uncertain. We investigated the clinical impact of complete revascularization in patients with left main coronary artery disease undergoing PCI in the EXCEL trial (Evaluation of XIENCE Versus Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery for Effectiveness of Left Main Revascularization).

METHODS

Composite rates of death or myocardial infarction (MI) following PCI during 5-year follow-up were examined in 903 patients based on core laboratory definitions of anatomic and functional complete revascularization, residual SYNTAX score (The Synergy Between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery), and residual Jeopardy Score (rJS).

RESULTS

The risk of death or MI did not vary based on anatomic, functional, or residual SYNTAX score complete revascularization but did differ according to the rJS (5-year rates 17.6%, 19.5%, and 38.9% with rJS 0, 2, and ≥4, respectively; P=0.006). The higher rate of death or MI with rJS≥4 versus rJS≤2 was driven conjointly by increased mortality (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.29 [95% CI, 1.11-4.71]; P=0.02) and spontaneous MI (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.89 [95% CI, 1.17-7.17]; P=0.02). The most common location for untreated severe stenoses in the rJS≥4 group was the left circumflex artery (LCX), and the post-PCI absence, compared with the presence, of any untreated lesion with diameter stenosis ≥70% in the LCX was associated with reduced 5-year rates of death or MI (18.9% versus 35.2%; hazard ratio, 0.48 [95% CI, 0.32-0.74]; P<0.001). The risk was the highest for residual ostial/proximal LCX lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients undergoing PCI in EXCEL trial, incomplete revascularization according to the rJS was associated with increased rates of death and spontaneous MI. Post-PCI untreated high-grade lesions in the LCX (especially the ostial/proximal LCX) drove these outcomes.

REGISTRATION

URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT01205776.

Revascularization and Left Ventricular Dysfunction for ICD Eligibility

Common triggers for sudden cardiac death (SCD) are transient ischemia, hemodynamic fluctuations, neurocardiovascular influences, and environmental factors. SCD occurs rapidly when sinus rhythm degenerates into ventricular tachycardia (VT) and/or ventricular fibrillation (VF), followed by asystole. Such progressive worsening of the cardiac rhythm is in most cases observed in the setting of ischemic heart disease and often associated with advanced left ventricular (LV) impairment. Revascularization prevents negative outcomes including SCD and heart failure (HF) due to LV dysfunction (LVD). The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) on top of medical therapy is superior to antiarrhythmic drugs for patients with LVD and VT/VF. The beneficial effects of ICD have been demonstrated in primary prevention of SCD as well. However, yet debated is the temporal management for patients with LVD who are eligible to ICD prior to revascularization, either through percutaneous or surgical approach. Restoration of coronary blood flow has a dramatic impact on adverse LV remodeling, while it requires aggressive long-term antiplatelet therapy, which might increase complication for eventual ICD procedure when percutaneous strategy is pursued; on the other hand, when LV and/or multiorgan dysfunction is present and coronary artery bypass grafting is chosen, the overall risk is augmented, mostly in HF patients. The aims of this review are to describe the pathophysiologic benefits of revascularization, the studies addressing percutaneous, surgical or no revascularization and ICD implantation, as well as emerging defibrillation strategies for patients deemed at transient risk of SCD and/or at higher risk for transvenous ICD implantation.

Indicators of abnormal PET coronary flow capacity in detecting cardiac ischemia

Coronary flow capacity (CFC) categorizes severity of left ventricular (LV) ischemia by PET myocardial blood flow (MBF). Our objective was to correlate abnormal CFC with other indicators of regional ischemia. Data were examined retrospectively for 231 patients evaluated for known/suspected CAD who underwent rest and regadenoson-stress ⁸²Rb PET/CT. MBF and myocardial flow reserve (MFR) were quantified, from which CFC was categorized as Normal CFC (1), Minimally reduced (2), Mildly reduced (3), Moderately reduced (4), and Severely reduced (5) for the three main arterial territories as well as globally. Relative perfusion summed stress score (SSS) and systolic phase contraction bandwidth (BW) were assessed. Accuracy to detect arteries with CFC ≥ 4 was highest for a Regional Index combining SSS and BW (88 ± 3%). A Global Index formed from stress ejection fraction, SSS and BW was the most accurate means of identifying patients with global CFC ≥ 4 (84 ± 3%). Arteries with abnormal CFC derived from absolute myocardial blood flow measurements are accurately identified by composite parameters combining regionally aberrant relative perfusion patterns and asynchrony.

Complete Versus Incomplete Percutaneous Coronary Intervention-Mediated Revascularization in Patients With Chronic Coronary Syndromes

Multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD) is associated with worse outcomes across the spectrum of clinical presentations. The prognostic implications of completeness of revascularization in CAD patients, especially those with chronic coronary syndromes (CCS), remain highly debated. This is largely due to the use of non-standardized definitions for complete revascularization (CR) and incomplete revascularization (ICR) within previously published studies, lack of randomized clinical data, varying revascularization methods and heterogenous study populations. In particular, the utility and effectiveness of PCI-mediated CR for CCS remains unknown. In this review, we discuss the various definitions used for CR vs. ICR, highlight the rationale for pursuing CR and summarise the current literature regarding the effects of PCI-mediated CR on clinical outcomes in patients with CCS.

Comparison of long-term cardiovascular and renal outcomes between percutaneous coronary intervention and coronary artery bypass grafting in multi-vessel disease with chronic kidney disease

Objective

This study aims to analyze cardiac and renal outcomes of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients with multi-vessel disease who have undergone coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Materials and methods

Chronic kidney disease patients with multi-vessel disease who underwent CABG or PCI were retrospectively selected from our database and divided into the PCI group [further stratified into PCI with complete revascularization (PCI-CR) and PCI with incomplete revascularization (PCI-IR) groups] and the CABG group. The primary endpoint was the composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction (MI), or stroke at 5 years. The key secondary endpoint was the 5-year rate of the renal composite outcome, defined as >40% glomerular filtration rate decrease, initiation of dialysis, and/or kidney transplant. Outcomes were compared using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, and the results were further adjusted by multivariable analyses and inverse probability weighting.

Results

Among the study population (n = 798), 443 (55.5%) patients received CABG and 355 (44.5%) patients received PCI. Compared with the CABG group, the PCI group had similar risk of the primary endpoint (CABG vs. PCI, 19.3% vs. 24.0%, HR: 1.28, 95% CI: 0.95–1.73, p = 0.11) and a lower risk of the renal composite outcome (36.6% vs. 31.2%, HR: 0.74, 95% CI 0.58–0.94, p = 0.03). In addition, PCI-IR was associated with a significantly higher risk of the primary endpoint than CABG (HR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.11–2.13, p = 0.009) or PCI-CR (HR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.09–2.89, p = 0.02). However, PCI-CR had a comparable 5-year death, MI, or stroke rate to CABG (HR: 0.86, 95% CI 0.54–1.38, p = 0.54).

Conclusion

Coronary artery bypass grafting showed an incidence of death, MI, or stroke similar to PCI but was associated with a higher risk of renal injury. PCI-CR had a prognosis comparable with that of CABG, while PCI-IR had worse prognosis. If PCI is chosen for revascularization in patients with CKD, achieving CR should be attempted to ensure favorable outcomes.

Clinical trial registration

[clinicaltrials.gov], identifier [NCT 03870815].

The Continuum of Invasive Techniques for the Assessment of Intermediate Coronary Lesions

Ischemic heart disease is one of the most important causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Revascularization of coronary stenosis inducing ischemia, either by percutaneous or surgical intervention, significantly reduces major adverse cardiovascular events and improves quality of life. However, in cases of intermediate lesions, classified by a diameter stenosis between 50 and 90% by European guidelines and 40–70% in American counterparts with no clear evidence of ischemia, the indication of revascularization and impact is determined using various methods that altogether comprehensively evaluate the lesions. This review will discuss the various techniques to assess intermediate stenoses, highlighting indications and advantages, but also drawbacks. Fractional flow rate (FFR) and instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR) are the gold standard for the functional evaluation of intermediate lesions, but there are clinical circumstances in which these pressure-wire-derived indices are not accurate. Complementary invasive investigations, mainly intravascular ultrasound and/or optical coherence tomography, offer parameters that can be correlated with FFR/iFR and additional insights into the morphology of the plaque guiding the eventual percutaneous intervention in terms of length and size of stents, thus improving the outcomes of the procedure. The development of artificial intelligence and machine learning with advanced algorithms of prediction will offer multiple scenarios for treatment, allowing real-time selection of the best strategy for revascularization.

Immediate complete revascularization showed better outcome in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors with left main or triple-vessel coronary diseases

This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of left main or triple vessel coronary artery disease (CAD) in comatose out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survivors and assessed their outcome based on the revascularization strategy. This multicenter, retrospective, observational registry-based study was conducted at 9 Korean tertiary care hospitals. Adult comatose OHCA survivors with left main or triple vessel CAD documented by immediate (≤ 2 h) coronary angiography after return of spontaneous circulation between 2011 and 2019 were included. The primary outcome was neurologically intact survival at 1-month. Among 727 OHCA patients, 150 (25%) had left main or triple vessel CAD and underwent complete (N = 32), incomplete (N = 78), and no immediate (N = 40) revascularization, respectively. The rate of neurologically intact survival at 1 month was significantly different among the groups (53%, 32%, and 23% for complete, incomplete, and no immediate revascularization groups, respectively; P = 0.02). After adjustment using the inverse probability of treatment weighting, complete revascularization was associated with neurologically intact survival at 1 month (odds ratio, 2.635; P = 0.01). Left main or triple vessel CAD is not uncommon in OHCA patients. The complete revascularization was associated with better outcome. Further clinical trials to confirm the best revascularization strategy are needed.

PCI in Patients With Heart Failure: Current Evidence, Impact of Complete Revascularization, and Contemporary Techniques to Improve Outcomes

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common cause of left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) and heart failure (HF). Revascularization with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) reduces all-cause mortality compared with medical therapy alone for these patients. Despite this, CABG is performed in a minority of patients with HF, partly due to patient unwillingness or inability to undergo major cardiac surgery and partly due to physician reluctance to refer for surgery due to high operative risk. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a less-invasive method of revascularization that has the potential to reduce periprocedural complications compared with CABG in patients with HF. Recent advances in PCI technology and technique have made it realistic to achieve more complete revascularization with PCI in high-risk patients with HF, although no randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) of PCI in HF compared with either medical therapy or CABG have been performed. In this review, we discuss the currently available evidence for PCI in HF and the association between the extent of revascularization and clinical outcomes in HF. We also review recent advances in PCI technology and techniques with the potential to improve clinical outcomes in HF. Finally, we discuss emerging clinical trial evidence of revascularization in HF and the large, persistent evidence gaps that should be addressed with future clinical trials of revascularization in HF.

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.

Importance of Visual Estimation of Coronary Artery Stenoses and Use of Functional Evaluation for Appropriate Guidance of Coronary Revascularization-Multiple Operator Evaluation

Background: Visual estimation (VE) of coronary stenoses is the first step during invasive coronary angiography. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of VE together with invasive functional assessment (IFA) in defining the functional significance (FS) of coronary stenoses based on the opinion of multiple operators. Methods: Fourteen independent operators visually evaluated 133 coronary lesions which had a previous FFR measurement, indicating the degree of stenosis (DS), FS and IFA intention. We determined the accuracy of FS prediction using several scenarios combining individual and group decision, considering IFA as deemed necessary by the operator or only in intermediate lesions. Results: The accuracy of VE in predicting FS was largely variable between operators (average 66.1%); it improved significantly when IFA was used either as per operator’s opinion (86.3%; p < 0.0001) or only in intermediate DS (82.9; p < 0.0001). There was no significant difference between using IFA per observer’s opinion or only in intermediate DS lesions (p = 0.166). The poorest accuracy of VE for FS was obtained in intermediate DS lesions (59.1%). Conclusions: There are significant inter-observer differences in reporting the degree of DS, while the accuracy of VE prediction of FS is also largely dependent on the operator, and the worst performance is obtained in the evaluation of intermediate DS.

Coronary CT angiography-derived fractional flow reserve in-stable angina: association with recurrent chest pain

Aims

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA)-derived fractional flow reserve (FFR_CT) and recurrent chest pain (CP) at 1-year follow-up in patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP).

Methods and results

Study of patients (n = 267) with SAP who underwent CCTA and FFR_CT testing; 236 (88%) underwent invasive coronary angiography; and 87 (33%) were revascularized. Symptomatic status at 1-year follow-up was gathered by a structured interview. Three different FFR_CT algorithms were applied using the following criteria for abnormality: (i) 2 cm-FFR_CT ≤0.80; (ii) d-FFR_CT ≤0.80; and (iii) a combination in which both a d-FFR_CT ≤0.80 and a ΔFFR_CT ≥0.06 must be present in the same vessel (c-FFR_CT). Patients were classified into two groups based on the FFR_CT test result and revascularization: completely revascularized/normal (CRN), patients in whom all coronary arteries with an abnormal FFR_CT test result were revascularized or patients with completely normal FFR_CT test results, and incompletely revascularized (IR), patients in whom ≥1 coronary artery with an abnormal FFR_CT test result was not revascularized. Recurrent CP was present in 62 (23%) patients. Classification of patients (CRN or IR) was significantly associated with recurrent CP for all applied FFR_CT interpretation algorithms. When applying the c-FFR_CT algorithm, the association with recurrent CP was found, irrespective of the extent of coronary calcification and the degree of coronary stenosis. A negative association between per-patient minimal d-FFR_CT and recurrent CP was demonstrated, P < 0.005.

Conclusion

An abnormal FFR_CT test result is associated with an increased risk of recurrent CP in patients with new-onset SAP.

Standardizing the Definition and Analysis Methodology for Complete Coronary Artery Revascularization

Guideline‐based medical therapy is the foundation of treatment for individuals with coronary artery disease. However, revascularization with either percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting may be beneficial in patients with acute coronary syndromes, refractory symptoms, or in other specific scenarios (eg, left main disease and heart failure). While the goal of percutaneous coronary intervention and coronary artery bypass grafting is to achieve complete revascularization, anatomical and ischemic definitions of complete revascularization and their methodology for assessment remain highly variable. Such lack of consensus invariably contributes to the absence of standardized approaches for invasive treatment of coronary artery disease. Herein, we propose a novel, comprehensive, yet pragmatic algorithm with both anatomical and ischemic parameters that aims to provide a systematic method to assess complete revascularization after percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting in both clinical practice and clinical trials.