The Impact of Age on the Physiological Assessment of Borderline Coronary Stenoses

Background and Objectives: Coronary angiography is the gold standard for diagnosing coronary artery disease (CAD). In the case of borderline changes, patients require further diagnosis through ischemia assessment via one of the recommended methods of invasive evaluation. This study aimed to assess whether clinical factors influence the risk of a positive result in invasive myocardial ischemia assessment and if these potential factors change with the patient's age and the consistency of ischemia assessment. Materials and Methods: Data were collected retrospectively on all consecutive patients hospitalized in the University Hospital in Krakow between 2020 and 2021, on whom physiological assessments of coronary circulation were performed. Patients were divided into two groups: patients aged 60 or younger and patients older than 60. Results: Despite the older patients having more risk factors for CAD, their physiological assessment results of borderline lesions were similar to those of the younger patients. Positive fractional flow reserve (FFR) assessments were obtained from almost 50% of vessels. In the younger patients, cigarette use and type 2 diabetes mellitus increased the risk of a positive FFR result by 3.5 and 2.5 times, respectively. In the older patients, male gender and peripheral vascular disease significantly increased the risk of a positive FFR by 2.5 and 2 times, respectively. Conclusions: Clinical characteristics of patients undergoing physiological assessment of borderline coronary stenosis varied significantly by age. Refining the definition of borderline lesions to include age, gender, and other factors may improve the identification of patients who would benefit from physiological assessment and coronary revascularization.

Factors determining the frequency of optical coherence tomography and intravascular ultrasound use in patients treated with percutaneous coronary interventions in recent years: Analysis based on a large national registry

BACKGROUND

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) have demonstrated improvement in the clinical outcome of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

AIMS

We aimed to examine the frequency of implementing OCT and IVUS during coronary angiography (CA) and PCI in everyday practice in Poland. Factors related to the more common choice of these imaging techniques were determined.

METHODS

Data from the Polish National Registry of Percutaneous Coronary Interventions (ORPKI) were procured for analysis. Between January 2014 and December 2021, we extracted data on 1 452 135 CAs, 11 710 using IVUS (0.8%) and 1471 with OCT (0.1%) and 838 297 PCIs, 15 436 with IVUS (1.8%) and 1680 with OCT (0.2%). We assessed the determining factors for applying IVUS and OCT via multiple regression logistics models.

RESULTS

The frequency of applying IVUS during CAs and PCIs increased significantly between the years 2014 and 2021. In 2021, it reached 1.54% for CAs and 4.42% for PCIs, while for OCT, there was a rise regarding the CA group, namely 0.13% in 2021, and, in the PCI group, 0.43%. Age was one of the factors significantly associated with the frequency of using IVUS/OCT during CA/PCI, which was confirmed by multivariate analysis (Odds ratio: 0.981 for IVUS and 0.973 for OCT use with PCI).

CONCLUSION

The frequency at which IVUS and OCT were used has undergone a significant increase in previous years. This increase can be largely attributed to the current reimbursement policies. Further improvement is required for this frequency to be at a satisfactory level.

Short-term risk prediction after major lower limb amputation: PERCEIVE study

BACKGROUND

The accuracy with which healthcare professionals (HCPs) and risk prediction tools predict outcomes after major lower limb amputation (MLLA) is uncertain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of predicting short-term (30 days after MLLA) mortality, morbidity, and revisional surgery.

METHODS

The PERCEIVE (PrEdiction of Risk and Communication of outcomE following major lower limb amputation: a collaboratIVE) study was launched on 1 October 2020. It was an international multicentre study, including adults undergoing MLLA for complications of peripheral arterial disease and/or diabetes. Preoperative predictions of 30-day mortality, morbidity, and MLLA revision by surgeons and anaesthetists were recorded. Probabilities from relevant risk prediction tools were calculated. Evaluation of accuracy included measures of discrimination, calibration, and overall performance.

RESULTS

Some 537 patients were included. HCPs had acceptable discrimination in predicting mortality (931 predictions; C-statistic 0.758) and MLLA revision (565 predictions; C-statistic 0.756), but were poor at predicting morbidity (980 predictions; C-statistic 0.616). They overpredicted the risk of all outcomes. All except three risk prediction tools had worse discrimination than HCPs for predicting mortality (C-statistics 0.789, 0.774, and 0.773); two of these significantly overestimated the risk compared with HCPs. SORT version 2 (the only tool incorporating HCP predictions) demonstrated better calibration and overall performance (Brier score 0.082) than HCPs. Tools predicting morbidity and MLLA revision had poor discrimination (C-statistics 0.520 and 0.679).

CONCLUSION

Clinicians predicted mortality and MLLA revision well, but predicted morbidity poorly. They overestimated the risk of mortality, morbidity, and MLLA revision. Most short-term risk prediction tools had poorer discrimination or calibration than HCPs. The best method of predicting mortality was a statistical tool that incorporated HCP estimation.

Procedural outcomes and annual operator volume among patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention of chronic total occlusions – analysis based on a large national registry

Background

It has been demonstrated that low operator and institutional volume is associated with poorer procedural and long-term clinical outcomes in general population of patients treated with percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI).

Purpose

The aim of the current study was to assess the relationship between operator volume and procedural outcomes of patients treated with PCI within chronic total occlusion (CTO).

Methods

Data for conducting the current analysis were obtained from the national registry of percutaneous coronary interventions (ORPKI) maintained in cooperation with the Association of Cardiovascular Interventions (AISN) of the Polish Cardiac Society. The study covered data obtained from the registry from January 2014 to December 2020. To investigate the association between operator and all periprocedural complications, coronary artery perforation (CAP) and TIMI flow grade 2/3 after PCI in the presence of confounding and clustering effects, we used multivariable, mixed effects logistic regression modelling.

Results

During the investigated period, there were 162 active CathLabs, at which 747,033 PCI procedures were performed during the time of observation. Of those 14,924 were CTO-PCI procedures. Considering the number of CTO-PCIs performed annually by individual operators during the analyzed 7 years we assessed differences between four groups (≤10; >10≤20; >20≤30 and >30 procedures). We demonstrated by nonlinear relationship with annualised CTO-PCI operator volume that operators performing more than 40 PCI with CTO per year have lower number of the overall periprocedural complications (Fig. 1) including CAP, as well greater procedural success rates (Fig. 2) compared to operators performing less procedures (p<0.0001).

Conclusions

High-volume CTO operators achieve a greater procedural success with a lower frequency of periprocedural complications. This study suggests that the cut-off of 50 CTO-PCIs per year recommended in the EuroCTO Consensus remains a reasonable compromise to optimize outcome and maintain local availability. Special CTO training programs and a higher annual case load might increase the overall quality of CTO PCI.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Predictors and trends of contrast use and radiation exposure in a large cohort of patients treated with percutaneous coronary interventions: Chronic total occlusion analysis based on a national registry

BACKGROUND

The aim herein, was to assess predictors and current trends of radiation exposure and total contrast amount use in patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention within chronic total occlusion (CTO PCI) and non-CTO PCI.

METHODS

Based on a nationwide registry (ORPKI), 535,857 patients treated with PCI between 2014 and 2018 were analysed. The study included 12,572 (2.34%) patients treated with CTO PCI. The CTO PCI and non-CTO PCI groups were compared before and after propensity score matching (PSM). Multifactorial mixed regression models were used to assess predictors of contrast amount use and radiation exposure.

RESULTS

The mean total contrast dose and radiation exposure decrease reached statistical significance in following years for the CTO PCI (p = 0.002 and p < 0.001) and non-CTO PCI groups (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001). Multifactorial analysis revealed that non-CTO PCI was a strong independent predictor of lower total contrast dose (estimate: -17.41; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -18.45 to -16.49, p < 0.001) and radiation exposure (estimate: -264.28; 95% CI: -273.75 to -254.81, p < 0.001). After PSM, it was confirmed that CTO PCI was an independent predictor of greater radiation exposure (estimate: 328.6; 95% CI: 289.1-368.1; p < 0.001) and total contrast dose (estimate: 30.5; 95% CI: 27.28-33.74; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Contrast dose and radiation exposure have decreased in previous years with regard to the CTO PCI and non-CTO PCI groups. CTO PCI was found to be an independent predictor of greater total contrast dose and radiation exposure in the overall group of patients treated with PCI.

Frequency and predictors of diagnostic coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention related to stroke

BACKGROUND

Stroke related to percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) is an infrequent complication, which can be potentially life-threatening and can lead to serious disability.

AIMS

This study aimed to assess the relationship between the type of coronary procedure and incidence of stroke, as well as its predictors.

METHODS

This retrospective analysis was performed on prospectively collected data gathered in the Polish National Registry of Percutaneous Coronary Interventions (ORPKI) between January 2014 and December 2019 and included 1177 161 coronary procedures. Among them, 650 674 patients underwent isolated diagnostic coronary angiography (DCA), and 526 487 PCI. Stroke was diagnosed in 157 patients (0.013%), of which 100 (0.015%) happened during DCA and 57 (0.011%) during PCI. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to separate predictors of stroke in patients undergoing coronary angiography and PCI.

RESULTS

The percentage of patients with periprocedural stroke was higher in the group treated with isolated DCA during the analyzed time. Among predictors of stroke in patients undergoing DCA, we confirmed prior stroke (P <0.001), contrast amount (P = 0.007), femoral access (P = 0.002), unfractionated heparin use (P = 0.01), direct transport to the catheterization laboratory (P = 0.04), older age (P <0.001) and multi-vessel disease (P <0.001). While for PCI ± DCA, these were prior stroke (P <0.001), thrombolysis (P = 0.003), treatment with bivalirudin (P <0.001), and acetylsalicylic acid loading during PCI (P = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the large national registry, PCI ± DCA is associated with fewer risk factors and a lower rate of periprocedural strokes than isolated DCA.

Chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention in everyday clinical practice - an expert opinion of the Association of Cardiovascular Interventions of the Polish Cardiac Society

Coronary chronic total occlusions (CTO) are increasingly encountered during invasive and non-invasive coronary angiography and remain the most challenging lesions for percutaneous revascularization. During recent years success rates and safety outcomes of CTO percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have substantially improved, particularly due to the introduction of new techniques and dedicated equipment as well as specialized training programs of CTO operators. Significantly, the steady advances in CTO PCI techniques have coincided with the new data from randomized clinical trials supporting the role of percutaneous recanalization of CTO in relieving angina and improving the quality of life. The current expert consensus document outlines the rationale, clinical outcomes as well as technical, safety and reimbursement issues of CTO PCI. In addition, the requirements for achieving and maintaining competency in CTO PCI among interventional cardiologists are discussed. Finally, we present the modified hybrid algorithm (the so-called Polish hybrid algorithm) providing some unique refinements to the contemporary CTO PCI strategies. Continuous efforts (including active engagement with the payer) are urgently needed to increase guideline-recommended referrals to CTO PCI, and thus improve the quality of life of CTO patients in Poland.

Recanalisation of coronary chronic total occlusion by retrograde approach: the first experience in Poland

BACKGROUND

The effectiveness of revascularisation procedures of coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) has been improved by the introduction of retrograde approach.

AIM

This study compared the outcomes of CTO revascularisation in a single centre in Krakow, Poland using antegrade and retrograde approach.

METHODS

From January 2011 to September 2013, 150 patients underwent 159 procedures for percutaneous revascularisation of CTO of 153 vessels. Of the 159 procedures, 124 (78%) were performed using an antegrade approach and 35 (22%) using a retrograde approach.

RESULTS

All patients were symptomatic, with mean CCS class (2.3 ± 0.6 vs. 2.1 ± 0.7, p = 0.9), mean age (59.2 ± 8.3 vs. 62.6 ± 9.9 years, p = 0.067), and mean number of males (81.3% vs. 81.8%, p = 0.9) similar in the retrograde and antegrade groups, respectively. Most patients in both groups had ejection fraction (EF) ≥ 50% (84.4% vs. 74.4%, respectively). Occlusions assessed according to the J-CTO score showed that 82.9% and 56.4%, respectively, were rated as difficult or very difficult (p < 0.01). Overall procedural success rate was 88.2%, 87.9% in the antegrade, and 74.3% in the retrograde group. Complication rates were low and similar in two groups. However, the retrograde approach was associated with a longer mean fluoroscopy time (47.8 ± 19.6 vs. 19.3 ± 10.0 min, p < 0.00001) and higher volume of contrast fluid (494.6 ± 142.4 vs. 291.9 ± 118.1 mL, p < 0.00001).

CONCLUSIONS

Using novel equipment with adequate experience allowed high rates of successful revascularisation. The retrograde technique for CTO revascularisation showed good overall success and was safe.

Secondary prevention in patients after hospitalisation due to coronary artery disease: what has changed since 2006?

BACKGROUND

The evidence concerning the quality of secondary prevention of coronary artery disease (CAD) in Poland in recent years is scarce.

AIM

To compare the implementation of secondary prevention guidelines into everyday clinical practice between 2006-2007 and 2011-2012 in patients after hospitalisation due to CAD.

METHODS

Five hospitals with departments of cardiology serving a city and its surrounding districts in the southern part of Poland participated in the study. Consecutive patients aged ≤ 80 years, hospitalised from April 1, 2005 to July 31, 2006 (first survey) and from April 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011 (second survey) due to acute coronary syndrome or for a myocardial revascularisation procedure were recruited and interviewed 6-18 months after hospitalisation.

RESULTS

Medical records of 640 patients were reviewed and included in the first survey and 466 in the second survey. The proportion of medical records with available information on smoking did not differ between the surveys, whereas the proportion of medical records with available information on blood pressure and total cholesterol was lower in patients hospitalised in 2010-2011. The prescription rate of β-blockers at discharge decreased from 90% to 84% (p < 0.05), whereas the prescription rates at discharge of other drug classes did not change significantly. The proportion of patients with high blood pressure (≥ 140/90 mm Hg) one year after hospitalisation decreased in 2011-2012 compared to 2006-2007 (from 48% to 35%, p < 0.05), whereas the proportion of subjects with high LDL cholesterol, high fasting glucose, and obesity did not change significantly. We did not note a significant difference in the smoking rate. The proportions of patients taking an antiplatelet agent (90% vs. 91%), a β-blocker (87% vs. 79%), an ACE inhibitor or a sartan (79% vs. 76%), a calcium antagonist (22% vs. 25%), a diuretic (35%vs. 45%), and a lipid-lowering drug (86% vs. 87%) one year after discharge did not change significantly (all p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

We noted a modest improvement in the implementation of CAD secondary prevention guidelines in everyday clinical practice: blood pressure was better controlled, although the control of all other main risk factors did not change significantly. Our data provides evidence that there is a considerable potential for further reduction of cardiovascular risk in CAD patients.

Age, sex, and secondary prevention of ischaemic heart disease in everyday practice

BACKGROUND

Many researchers have studied age- and sex-related differences in the management of patients with coronary artery disease. However, the results are inconsistent.

AIM

To assess sex- and age-related bias in the secondary prevention in patients hospitalised due to ischaemic heart disease.

METHODS

Five hospitals with departments of cardiology serving a city and surrounding districts in southern Poland participated in the study. Consecutive patients hospitalised from 1 April 2005 to 31 July 2006 due to acute coronary syndrome or for a myocardial revascularisation procedure and aged ≤ 80 years were recruited and interviewed 6-18 months after hospitalisation.

RESULTS

The hospital records of 640 patients were reviewed and 513 (80.2%) patients participated in the follow-up interview. Women were older and less educated than their male counterparts. Sex was not independently associated with the control of major risk factors in the post-discharge period, whereas age was related to a higher probability of having high blood pressure and a lower chance of smoking. Multivariate analysis showed that females were prescribed calcium antagonists (odds ratio [OR] 2.13; 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.34-3.39) and diuretics (OR 1.52; 95% CI 1.00-2.31) more often than males. Age was independently related to the prescription rate of diuretics (≥ 70 years vs. < 60 years; OR 1.61; 95% CI 1.19-2.20). The prescription rate of antiplatelets, beta-blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme-inhibitors/sartans, lipid-lowering drugs, and anticoagulants was not related to age or sex.

CONCLUSIONS

We found no major sex-related difference in the frequency of achieving recommended goals in secondary prevention, whereas age was related to a lower prevalence of smoking and a higher probability of having high blood pressure in subjects after hospitalisation for coronary artery disease.

Changes in secondary prevention of coronary artery disease in the post-discharge period over the decade 1997-2007. Results of the Cracovian Program for Secondary Prevention of Ischaemic Heart Disease and Polish parts of the EUROASPIRE II and III surveys

BACKGROUND

Both in the European and Polish guidelines, the highest priority for preventive cardiology was given to patients with established coronary artery disease (CAD). The Cracovian Program for Secondary Prevention of Ischaemic Heart Disease was introduced in 1996 to assess and improve the quality of clinical care in secondary prevention. Departments of cardiology of five participating hospitals serving the area of the city of Kraków and surrounding districts (former Kraków Voivodship) inhabited by a population of 1 200 000 took part in the surveys. In 1999/2000 and 2006/2007 the same hospitals joined the EUROASPIRE (European Action on Secondary Prevention through Intervention to Reduce Events) II and III surveys. The goal of the EUROASPIRE surveys was to assess to what extent the recommendations of the Joint Task Force of International Scientific Societies were implemented into clinical practice.

AIM

To compare the quality of secondary prevention in the post-discharge period in Kraków in 1997/1998, 1999/2000 and 2006/2007.

METHODS

Consecutive patients hospitalised from 1 July 1996 to 31 September 1997 (first survey), from 1 March 1998 to 30 March 1999 (second survey), and from 1 April 2005 to 31 July 2006 (third survey) due to acute myocardial infarction, unstable angina or for myocardial revascularisation procedures, below the age of 71 years were identified and then followed up, interviewed and examined 6-18 months after discharge.

RESULTS

The number of patients who participated in the follow-up examinations was 418 (78.0%) in the first survey, 427 (82.9%) in the second and 427 (79.1%) in the third survey. The use of cardioprotective medication increased significantly: antiplatelets from 76.1% (1997/1998) to 86.9% (1999/2000) and 90.1% (2006/2007), beta-blockers from 59.1% (1997/1998) to 63.9% (1999/2000) and 87.5% (2006/2007), and ACE inhibitors/sartans from 45.9% (1997/1998) to 79.0% (2006/2007). The proportion of patients taking lipid lowering agents increased from 34.0% (1997/1998) to 41.9% (1999/2000) and 86.8% (2006/2007). Simultaneously, a significant improvement in the control of hyperlipidemia could be noted. In 2006/07, over 60% had a serum LDL cholesterol < 2.5 mmol/l. No significant change was found in the proportion of subjects with well-controlled hypertension or diabetes. In 2006/2007, elevated blood pressure was found in 46.6% of participants and glucose > 7 mmol/l in 13.4%. There was no significant change in smoking rates (16.3 vs. 15.9 vs. 19.2%). The proportion of obese patients increased reaching 33.9% in 2006/2007.

CONCLUSIONS

The implementation of CAD prevention guidelines into clinical practice over the decade from 1997/1998 to 2006/2007 changed significantly. The use of cardioprotective drugs increased largely but among risk factors a significant improvement could be found only in the case of hypercholesterolemia. No improvement in the control of hypertension and diabetes, no change in smoking rates and increasing prevalence of obesity suggest insufficient lifestyle modifications in CAD patients.