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Antiplatelet therapy is the mainstay of pharmacologic treatment to prevent thrombotic or ischemic events in patients with coronary artery disease treated with percutaneous coronary intervention and those treated medically for an acute coronary syndrome. The use of antiplatelet therapy comes at the expense of an increased risk of bleeding complications. Defining the optimal intensity of platelet inhibition according to the clinical presentation of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and individual patient factors is a clinical challenge. Modulation of antiplatelet therapy is a medical action that is frequently performed to balance the risk of thrombotic or ischemic events and the risk of bleeding. This aim may be achieved by reducing (ie, de-escalation) or increasing (ie, escalation) the intensity of platelet inhibition by changing the type, dose, or number of antiplatelet drugs. Because de-escalation or escalation can be achieved in different ways, with a number of emerging approaches, confusion arises with terminologies that are often used interchangeably. To address this issue, this Academic Research Consortium collaboration provides an overview and definitions of different strategies of antiplatelet therapy modulation for patients with coronary artery disease, including but not limited to those undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention, and consensus statements on standardized definitions.

For 20 years, dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), consisting of the combination of aspirin and a platelet P2Y12receptor inhibitor, has been the gold standard of antithrombotic pharmacology after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). In the past 5 years, several investigations have challenged this paradigm by testing the efficacy and safety of P2Y12inhibitor monotherapy (that is, without aspirin) following a short course of DAPT. Collectively, these studies suggested a reduction in the risk of major bleeding and no significant increase in thrombotic or ischaemic events compared with guideline-recommended DAPT. Current recommendations are evolving to inform clinical practice on the ideal candidates for P2Y12inhibitor monotherapy after PCI. Generalizing the results of studies of P2Y12inhibitor monotherapy requires a thorough understanding of their design, populations, interventions, comparators and results. In this Review, we provide an up-to-date overview on the use of P2Y12inhibitor monotherapy after PCI, including supporting pharmacodynamic and clinical evidence, practical recommendations and future directions.

IMPORTANCE: In patients with multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD) presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), complete revascularization reduces major cardiovascular events compared with culprit lesion–only percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Whether complete revascularization also improves angina-related health status is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether complete revascularization improves angina status in patients with STEMI and multivessel CAD. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This secondary analysis of a randomized, multinational, open label trial of patient-reported outcomes took place in 140 primary PCI centers in 31 countries. Patients presenting with STEMI and multivessel CAD were randomized between February 1, 2013, and March 6, 2017. Analysis took place between July 2021 and December 2021. INTERVENTIONS: Following PCI of the culprit lesion, patients with STEMI and multivessel CAD were randomized to receive either complete revascularization with additional PCI of angiographically significant nonculprit lesions or to no further revascularization. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Seattle Angina Questionnaire Angina Frequency (SAQ-AF) score (range, 0 [daily angina] to 100 [no angina]) and the proportion of angina-free individuals by study end. RESULTS: Of 4041 patients, 2016 were randomized to complete revascularization and 2025 to culprit lesion–only PCI. The mean (SD) age of patients was 62 (10.7) years, and 3225 (80%) were male. The mean (SD) SAQ-AF score increased from 87.1 (17.8) points at baseline to 97.1 (9.7) points at a median follow-up of 3 years in the complete revascularization group (score change, 9.9 [95% CI, 9.0-10.8]; P < .001) compared with an increase of 87.2 (18.4) to 96.3 (10.9) points (score change, 8.9 [95% CI, 8.0-9.8]; P < .001) in the culprit lesion–only group (between-group difference, 0.97 points [95% CI, 0.27-1.67]; P = .006). Overall, 1457 patients (87.5%) were free of angina (SAQ-AF score, 100) in the complete revascularization group compared with 1376 patients (84.3%) in the culprit lesion–only group (absolute difference, 3.2% [95% CI, 0.7%-5.7%]; P = .01). This benefit was observed mainly in patients with nonculprit lesion stenosis severity of 80% or more (absolute difference, 4.7%; interaction P = .02). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In patients with STEMI and multivessel CAD, complete revascularization resulted in a slightly greater proportion of patients being angina-free compared with a culprit lesion–only strategy. This modest incremental improvement in health status is in addition to the established benefit of complete revascularization in reducing cardiovascular events.

Background: Previous studies suggest that patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction (MI) in December have poor outcomes, and some studies have hypothesized that the cause may be the infrequent use of evidence-based therapies during the December holiday season. Objective: To compare the care and outcomes of patients with acute MI hospitalized in December and patients hospitalized during other months. Design: Retrospective analysis of data from the Cooperative Cardiovascular Project. Setting: Nonfederal, acute care hospitals in the United States. Patients: 127 959 Medicare beneficiaries hospitalized between January 1994 and February 1996 with confirmed acute MI. Measurements: Use of aspirin, [beta]-blockers, and reperfusion therapy (thrombolytic therapy or percutaneous coronary intervention), and 30-day mortality. Results: When the authors controlled for patient, hospital, and physician characteristics, the use of evidence-based therapies was not significantly lower but 30-day mortality was higher (21.7% vs. 20.1%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.07 [95% CI, 1.02 to 1.12]) among patients hospitalized in December. Limitations: This was a nonrandomized, observational study. Unmeasured characteristics may have contributed to outcome differences. Conclusions: Thirty-day mortality rates were higher for Medicare patients hospitalized with acute MI in December than in other months, although the use of evidence-based therapies was not significantly lower.

For many years, bleeding has been perceived as an unavoidable consequence of strategies aimed at reducing thrombotic complications in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, the paradigm has now shifted towards bleeding being recognized as a prognostically unfavourable event to the same extent as having a new or recurrent ischaemic or thrombotic complication. As such, in parallel with progress in device and drug development for PCI, there is clinical interest in developing strategies that maximize not only the efficacy but also the safety (for example, by minimizing bleeding) of any antithrombotic treatment or procedural aspect before, during or after PCI. In this Review, we discuss contemporary data and aspects of bleeding avoidance strategies in PCI, including risk stratification, timing of revascularization, pretreatment with antiplatelet agents, selection of vascular access, choice of coronary stents and antithrombotic treatment regimens.

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

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Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.Saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) remain the most frequently used conduits in coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). Despite advances in surgical techniques and pharmacotherapy, SVG failure rates remain high, often leading to repeat coronary revascularization. The no-touch SVG harvesting technique (minimal graft manipulation with preservation of vasa vasorum and nerves) reduces the risk of SVG failure, whereas the effect of the off-pump technique on SVG patency remains unclear. Use of buffered storage solutions, intraoperative graft flow measurement, careful selection of the target vessels, and physiological assessment of the native coronary circulation before CABG may also reduce the incidence of SVG failure. Perioperative aspirin and high-intensity statin administration are the cornerstones of secondary prevention after CABG. Dual antiplatelet therapy is recommended for off-pump CABG and in patients with a recent acute coronary syndrome. Intermediate (30%–60%) SVG stenoses often progress rapidly. Stenting of intermediate SVG stenoses failed to improve outcomes; hence, treatment focuses on strict control of coronary artery disease risk factors. Redo CABG is associated with higher perioperative mortality compared with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI); hence, the latter is preferred for most patients requiring repeat revascularization after CABG. SVG PCI is limited by high rates of no-reflow and a high incidence of restenosis during follow-up. Drug-eluting and bare metal stents provide similar long-term outcomes in SVG PCI. Embolic protection devices reduce no-reflow and should be used when feasible. PCI of the corresponding native coronary artery is associated with better short- and long-term outcomes and is preferred over SVG PCI, if technically feasible.

Registry-based trials have the potential to reduce randomized clinical trial (RCT) costs. However, observed cost differences also may be achieved through pragmatic trial designs. A systematic comparison of trial costs across different designs has not been previously performed.

Transradial intervention (TRI) was first introduced by Lucien Campeau in 1989 and since then has created a lasting impact in the field of interventional cardiology. Several studies have demonstrated that TRI is associated with fewer vascular site complications, offer earlier ambulation and greater post-procedural comfort. Patients presenting with ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) have experienced survival benefit and higher quality-of-life metrics as well with TRI. While both the updated scientific statement by the American Heart Association and the 2017 European Society of Cardiology guidelines recommend a “radial first” approach there appears to be a lag in physicians adapting TRI as the preferred vascular access. We present a review focusing on identification and management of TRA related challenges and complications using a systematic algorithmic approach.

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a complex condition with a high risk for morbidity and mortality. Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices were developed to support patients with CS in cases refractory to treatment with vasoactive medications. Current devices include intra-aortic balloon pumps, intravascular microaxial pumps, percutaneous LVAD, percutaneous RVAD, and VA ECMO. Data from limited observational studies and clinical trials show a clear difference in the level of hemodynamic support offered by each device. However, at this point, there are insufficient clinical trial data to guide MCS selection and, until ongoing clinical trials are completed, use of the right device for the right patient depends largely on clinical judgment.

We hypothesized that splanchnic nerve blockade (SNB) would attenuate increased exercise-induced cardiac filling pressures in patients with chronic HF.

IMPORTANCE: Quality of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is commonly assessed by risk-adjusted mortality. However, this metric may result in procedural risk aversion, especially for high-risk patients. OBJECTIVE: To determine correlation and reclassification between hospital-level disease-specific mortality and PCI procedural mortality among patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This hospital-level observational cross-sectional multicenter analysis included hospitals participating in the Chest Pain–MI Registry, which enrolled consecutive adult patients admitted with a diagnosis of type I non–ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) or ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), and hospitals in the CathPCI Registry, which enrolled consecutive adult patients treated with PCI with an indication of NSTEMI or STEMI, between April 1, 2011, and December 31, 2017. EXPOSURES: Inclusion into the National Cardiovascular Data Registry Chest Pain–MI and CathPCI registries. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: For each hospital in each registry, a disease-based excess mortality ratio (EMR-D) for AMI was calculated, which represents a risk-adjusted observed to expected rate of mortality for AMI as a disease using the Chest Pain–MI Registry, and a procedure-based excess mortality ratio (EMR-P) for PCI was calculated using the CathPCI Registry. RESULTS: A subset of 625 sites participated in both registries, with a final count of 776 890 patients from the Chest Pain–MI Registry (509 576 men [65.6%]; 620 981 white [80.0%]; and median age, 64 years [interquartile range, 55-74 years]) and 853 386 patients from the CathPCI Registry (582 701 men [68.3%]; 691 236 white [81.0%]; and median age, 63 years [interquartile range, 54-73 years]). Among the 625 linked hospitals, the Spearman rank correlation coefficient between EMR-D and EMR-P produced a ρ of 0.53 (95% CI, 0.47-0.58), suggesting moderate correlation. Among the highest-performing tertile for disease-based risk-adjusted mortality, 90 of 208 sites (43.3%) were classified into a lower category for procedural risk-adjusted mortality. Among the lowest-performing tertile for disease-based risk-adjusted mortality, 92 of 208 sites (44.2%) were classified into a higher category for procedural risk-adjusted mortality. Bland-Altman plots for the overall linked cohort demonstrate a mean difference between EMR-P and EMR-D of 0.49% (95% CI, –1.61% to 2.58%; P < .001), with procedural mortality higher than disease-based mortality. However, among patients with AMI complicated by cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest, the mean difference between EMR-P and EMR-D was –0.64% (95% CI, –4.41% to 3.12%; P < .001), with procedural mortality lower than disease-based mortality. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This study suggests that, for hospitals treating patients with AMI, there is only a moderate correlation between procedural outcomes and disease-based outcomes. Nearly half of hospitals in the highest tertile of performance for PCI performance were reclassified into a lower performance tertile when judged by disease-based metrics. Higher rates of mortality were observed when using disease-based metrics compared with procedural metrics when assessing patients with cardiogenic shock and/or cardiac arrest, signifying what appears to be potential risk avoidance among this highest-risk subset of patients.

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Peripheral vascular intervention (PVI) improves quality of life and reduces major adverse limb events in patients with peripheral arterial disease. PVI is commonly performed via the femoral artery, and the most common adverse periprocedural event is a vascular access complication. Transradial access for PVI has the potential to reduce vascular access complications and improve patient outcomes. Further study is needed to elucidate the risks of stroke, acute kidney injury, and radiation exposure in the setting of transradial PVI. As transradial access for PVI progresses, it will be important to build the evidence base along with procedural experience.

Bleeding avoidance strategies are critical in the modern era of percutaneous coronary intervention; however, most efforts are geared toward reducing access-related complications. Improvements in procedural techniques (radial access, improved procedural anticoagulation regimens, etc) and modifications in postdischarge pharmacotherapy (shortened dual antiplatelet therapy, genotype-guided P2Y12inhibition, etc) that led to a decline in bleeding related to percutaneous procedures were largely offset by increases in complexity and performance of percutaneous coronary intervention in high-risk patients. Among patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome, aggressive antiplatelet regimens with potent P2Y12inhibitors are typically prescribed for a longer duration, prioritizing reduction in ischemic events over bleeding risk. Because postdischarge bleeding connotes an adverse prognosis similar to an ischemic event, postprocedure freedom from adverse outcomes can be best tailored by individualizing and recognizing the patient’s bleeding and ischemic risks. This review of the contemporary and historical literature (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library) summarizes the available data, provides strategies to navigate these complex decisions, and helps individualize antithrombotic therapy.

Background Previous studies published before the era of systematic early invasive strategy have reported a higher mortality in non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients with heart failure. The aim of our study was to compare the clinical characteristics, outcomes and causes of death of patients according to their heart failure status at admission in a large non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction population with planned early invasive management.Methods We performed a post-hoc analysis of the Treatment of Acute Coronary Syndrome with Otamixaban randomised trial which included non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients with systematic coronary angiography within 72 h. Patients were categorised according to presence or absence of heart failure (Killip grade ≥2) at admission.Results A total of 13,172 patients were enrolled, of whom 944 (7.2%) had heart failure. At day 30, death occurred in 213 patients (1.6%) and cardiovascular death was the dominant cause of death in both groups ((with vs without heart failure) 78.8% vs 78.4%, p= 0.94). At six months, death occurred in 90/944 (9.5%) patients with heart failure and 258/12228 patients without heart failure (2.1%) (p< 0.001). After adjustment on Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events risk score, heart failure was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality at day 30 (odds ratio: 1.58; 95% confidence interval, 1.06–2.36, p= 0.02) and at day 180 (odds ratio: 1.77; 95% confidence interval, 1.3–2.42, p< 0.001) as well as of ischaemic complications (cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis or stroke at day 30 (odds ratio: 1.28; 95% confidence interval, 1.01–1.62, p= 0.04).Conclusion Non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients with heart failure at admission still have worse outcomes than those without heart failure, even with systematic early invasive strategy. Further efforts are needed to improve the prognosis of these high risk patients.

Limited data exist on the epidemiology, evaluation, and prognosis of otherwise unexplained anaemia of the elderly in heart failure (HF). Thus, we aimed to determine the incidence of anaemia, to characterize diagnostic testing patterns for potentially reversible causes of anaemia, and to evaluate the independent association between incident anaemia and long-term morbidity and mortality.

IMPORTANCE: Anatomical scoring systems for coronary artery disease, such as the SYNTAX (Synergy Between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention [PCI] With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery) score, are well established tools for understanding patient risk. However, they are cumbersome to compute manually for large data sets, limiting their use across broad and varied cohorts. OBJECTIVE: To adapt an anatomical scoring system for use with registry data, allowing facile and automatic calculation of scores and association with clinical outcomes among patients undergoing percutaneous or surgical revascularization. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This cross-sectional observational cohort study involved procedures performed in all cardiac catheterization laboratories in the largest integrated health care system in the United States, the Veterans Affairs (VA) Healthcare System. Patients undergoing coronary angiography in the VA Healthcare System followed by percutaneous or surgical revascularization within 90 days were observed and data were analyzed from January 1, 2010, through September 30, 2017. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: An anatomical scoring system for coronary artery disease complexity before revascularization was simplified and adapted to data from the VA Clinical Assessment, Reporting, and Tracking Program. The adjusted association between quantified anatomical complexity and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs), including death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and repeat revascularization, was assessed for patients undergoing percutaneous or surgical revascularization. RESULTS: A total of 50 226 patients (49 359 men [98.3%]; mean [SD] age, 66 [9] years) underwent revascularization during the study period, with 34 322 undergoing PCI and 15 904 undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). After adjustment, the highest tertile of anatomical complexity was associated with increased hazard of MACCEs (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 2.12; 95% CI, 2.01-2.23). In contrast, the highest tertile of anatomical complexity among patients undergoing CABG was not independently associated with overall MACCEs (adjusted HR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.92-1.17), and only repeat revascularization was associated with increasing complexity (adjusted HR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.06-1.70) in this subgroup. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: These findings suggest that an automatically computed score assessing anatomical complexity can be used to assess longitudinal risk for patients undergoing revascularization. This simplified scoring system appears to be an alternative tool for understanding longitudinal risk across large data sets.

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.Identification and management of patients at high bleeding risk undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention are of major importance, but a lack of standardization in defining this population limits trial design, data interpretation, and clinical decision-making. The Academic Research Consortium for High Bleeding Risk (ARC-HBR) is a collaboration among leading research organizations, regulatory authorities, and physician-scientists from the United States, Asia, and Europe focusing on percutaneous coronary intervention–related bleeding. Two meetings of the 31-member consortium were held in Washington, DC, in April 2018 and in Paris, France, in October 2018. These meetings were organized by the Cardiovascular European Research Center on behalf of the ARC-HBR group and included representatives of the US Food and Drug Administration and the Japanese Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, as well as observers from the pharmaceutical and medical device industries. A consensus definition of patients at high bleeding risk was developed that was based on review of the available evidence. The definition is intended to provide consistency in defining this population for clinical trials and to complement clinical decision-making and regulatory review. The proposed ARC-HBR consensus document represents the first pragmatic approach to a consistent definition of high bleeding risk in clinical trials evaluating the safety and effectiveness of devices and drug regimens for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

IMPORTANCE: Following negative randomized clinical trials, US guidelines downgraded support for routine manual aspiration thrombectomy (AT) during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, some PCI operators continue to endorse a clinical benefit with AT use despite the lack of supportive data. OBJECTIVE: To examine temporal trends and comparative outcomes of AT use during pPCI for STEMI. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Retrospective cohort study of the National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR) CathPCI Registry from July 1, 2009, to June 30, 2016, to assess temporal trends and in-hospital outcomes associated with AT use. To evaluate outcomes through 180 days, a subanalysis was conducted among Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services–linked patients from July 1, 2009, through December 31, 2014. The comparative effectiveness analysis was performed using instrumental variable analyses to account for treatment selection bias. The instrumental variable was operator’s preference to use AT during pPCI. Data were analyzed between February 1, 2017, and April 1, 2018. EXPOSURES: Aspiration thrombectomy use during pPCI for STEMI. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Primary outcomes included in-hospital stroke and death. Secondary outcomes included heart failure, stroke, all-cause rehospitalization, and death through 180 days of follow-up. RESULTS: Among all pPCIs performed (683 584), the mean (SD) age of patients was 61.7 (12.8) years, 489 257 were male (71.6%), and 596 384 were white (87.2%). Among patients undergoing pPCI, AT use increased from 2009 through 2011, with peak use of 13.8%. This was followed by a decline of more than 9%, reaching 4.7% by mid-2016. Overall, AT was used in 10.8% of pPCIs (lowest operator group median, 0%; highest operator group median, 33.8%). After instrumental variable analysis, AT use was associated with no difference in in-hospital death (adjusted absolute risk difference, −0.18%; 95% CI, −0.53% to 0.16%; P = .29) and a small increase in in-hospital stroke (adjusted RD, 0.14%; 95% CI, 0.01%-0.30%; P = .03). Among Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services–linked patients, AT use was not associated with differences in death, heart failure, stroke, or rehospitalization at 180 days. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this large, nationwide analysis, AT use during STEMI pPCI declined by more than 50% since 2011, with use as of mid-2016 at less than 5%. Selective AT use was associated with a small excess risk of in-hospital stroke and no difference in other outcomes through 180 days of follow-up.

IMPORTANCE: A significant number of patients receive bare-metal stents (BMSs) instead of drug-eluting stents (DESs) to shorten the duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). Emerging evidence suggests that new-generation DESs, particularly those optimized for biocompatibility, may be more efficacious and safer than BMSs, even with a single month of DAPT after stent implantation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of DESs compared with BMSs for coronary intervention with a single month of DAPT. DATA SOURCES: Human studies found in PubMed, the Cochrane databases through April 2018, and reference lists of selected articles. STUDY SELECTION: Randomized clinical trials were included if they enrolled patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention and randomly assigned each patient to treatment with either DESs or BMSs. The additional inclusion criterion was use of only 1 month of DAPT poststent implantation. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Two reviewers independently extracted the data. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using random-effects models. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The efficacy end points were major adverse cardiac events, myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization, ischemia-driven target lesion revascularization, cardiac mortality, and all-cause mortality at 1 year. The safety outcomes were stent thrombosis and bleeding complications. RESULTS: Data from 3 randomized clinical trials involving 3943 patients were included (2457 men [62.3%]; mean [SD] age ranging from 75.7 [9.3] years to 81.4 [4.3] years per trial subgroup). Coronary intervention with DESs reduced the rates for major adverse cardiac events (OR, 0.68 [95% CI, 0.57-0.82]; P &lt; .001), target lesion revascularization (OR, 0.38 [95% CI, 0.22-0.67]; P = .001), target vessel revascularization (OR, 0.50 [95% CI, 0.38-0.65]; P &lt; .001), and myocardial infarction (OR, 0.51 [95% CI, 0.31-0.83]; P = .01) compared with BMSs at 1 year. The incidence of stent thrombosis was also lower with DESs compared with BMSs (1.8% vs 2.8%), but this difference was not statistically significant in the random-effects model. Additionally, the 2 stent types did not differ in the risks of all-cause mortality, cardiac mortality, and bleeding. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In the limited number of randomized clinical trials comparing DESs with BMSs with shortened DAPT durations in patients who have high bleeding risk or are uncertain candidates for prolonged DAPT, coronary intervention with specific DESs optimized for biocompatibility is not only safe but also efficacious, even with only 1 month of DAPT.

IMPORTANCE: Same-day discharge (SDD) after elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is associated with lower costs and preferred by patients. However, to our knowledge, contemporary patterns of SDD after elective PCI with respect to the incidence, hospital variation, trends, costs, and safety outcomes in the United States are unknown. OBJECTIVE: To examine (1) the incidence and trends in SDD; (2) hospital variation in SDD; (3) the association between SDD and readmissions for bleeding, acute kidney injury (AKI), acute myocardial infarction (AMI), or mortality at 30, 90, and 365 days after PCI; and (4) hospital costs of SDD and its drivers. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This observational cross-sectional cohort study included 672 470 patients enrolled in the nationally representative Premier Healthcare Database who underwent elective PCI from 493 hospitals between January 2006 and December 2015 with 1-year follow-up. EXPOSURES: Same-day discharge, defined by identical dates of admission, PCI procedure, and discharge. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Death, bleeding requiring a blood transfusion, AKI and AMI at 30, 90, or 365 days after PCI, and costs from hospitals’ perspective, inflated to 2016. RESULTS: Among 672 470 elective PCIs, 221 997 patients (33.0%) were women, 30 711 (4.6%) were Hispanic, 51 961 (7.7%) were African American, and 491 823 (73.1%) were white. The adjusted rate of SDD was 3.5% (95% CI, 3.0%-4.0%), which increased from 0.4% in 2006 to 6.3% in 2015. We observed substantial hospital variation for SDD from 0% to 83% (median incidence rate ratio, 3.82; 95% CI, 3.48-4.23), implying an average (median) 382% likelihood of SDD at one vs another hospital. Among SDD (vs non-SDD) patients, there was no higher risk of death, bleeding, AKI, or AMI at 30, 90, or 365 days. Same-day discharge was associated with a large cost savings of $5128 per procedure (95% CI, $5006-$5248), driven by reduced supply and room and boarding costs. A shift from existing SDD practices to match top-decile SDD hospitals could annually save $129 million in this sample and $577 million if adopted throughout the United States. However, residual confounding may be present, limiting the precision of the cost estimates. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Over 2006 to 2015, SDD after elective PCI was infrequent, with substantial hospital variation. Given the safety and large savings of more than $5000 per PCI associated with SDD, greater and more consistent use of SDD could markedly increase the overall value of PCI care.

Few studies have examined the efficacy of drug-eluting stents (DES) for reducing aortocoronary saphenous vein bypass graft (SVG) failure compared with bare-metal stents (BMS) in patients undergoing stenting of de-novo SVG lesions. We assessed the risks and benefits of the use of DES versus BMS in de-novo SVG lesions.

To evaluate outcomes of routine invasive strategy (RIS) compared with selective invasive strategy (SIS) in elderly patients older than 75 years with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS).

The mechanisms, pathophysiology, and treatment of anemia in coronary artery disease (CAD) are complex. The hemodynamic changes found in the acute anemic state may contribute to progressive arterial wall and left ventricular hypertrophy if the anemic state persists chronically. We will examine the evidence for anemia as an independent risk factor for CAD events and cardiovascular mortality after percutaneous coronary intervention. We will also investigate the thresholds for appropriate blood transfusion in patients with CAD, as well as the cardiovascular outcomes associated with the utilization of a liberal versus conservative blood transfusion strategy. Although there is evidence supporting the use of intravenous iron replacement in patients with congestive heart failure, we will demonstrate the lack of evidence for iron replacement in patients with CAD. Finally, we will examine the evidence for increased cardiovascular mortality and venous thromboembolic events with the use of erythropoietin-stimulating agents in patients with CAD.

Structural heart disease is a rapidly evolving field. However, training in structural heart disease is still widely variable and has not been standardized. Furthermore, integration of trainees within the heart team has not been fully defined. In this review, we discuss the components and function of the heart team, the challenges of current structural heart disease models, and possible solutions and suggestions for integrating trainees within the heart team.

IMPORTANCE: Current comparative outcomes among black and white patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the Veterans Affairs (VA) health system are not known. OBJECTIVE: To compare outcomes between black and white patients undergoing PCI in the VA health system. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This study compared black and white patients who underwent PCI between October 1, 2007, and September 30, 2013, at 63 VA hospitals using data recorded in the VA Clinical Assessment, Reporting, and Tracking System for Cardiac Catheterization Laboratories (CART-CL) program. A generalized linear mixed model with a random intercept for site assessed the relative difference in odds of outcomes between black and white patients. The setting was integrated institutionalized hospital care. Excluded were all patients of other races or those with multiple listed races and those with missing data regarding race or the diagnostic cardiac catheterization. The dates of analysis were January 7, 2016, to April 17, 2017. EXPOSURE: Percutaneous coronary intervention at a VA hospital. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome was 1-year mortality. Secondary outcomes were 30-day all-cause readmission rates, 30-day acute kidney injury, 30-day blood transfusion, and 1-year readmission rates for myocardial infarction. In addition, variations in procedural and postprocedural care were examined, including the use of intravascular ultrasound, optical coherence tomography, fractional flow reserve measurements, bare-metal stents, postprocedural medications, and radial access. RESULTS: A total of 42 391 patients (13.3% black and 98.4% male; mean [SD] age, 65.2 [9.1] years) satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria. In unadjusted analyses, black patients had higher rates of 1-year mortality (7.1% vs 5.9%, P &lt; .001) as well as secondary outcomes of 30-day acute kidney injury (20.8% vs 13.8%, P &lt; .001), 30-day blood transfusion (3.4% vs 2.7%, P &lt; .01), and 1-year readmission rates for myocardial infarction (3.3% vs 2.7%, P = .01) compared with white patients. After adjustment for demographics, comorbidities, and procedural characteristics, odds for 1-year mortality (odds ratio, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.90-1.19) were not different between black and white patients. There were also no differences in secondary outcomes with the exception of a higher rate of adjusted 30-day acute kidney injury (odds ratio, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.10-1.36). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: While black patients had a higher rate of mortality than white patients in unadjusted analyses, race was not independently associated with 1-year mortality among patients undergoing PCI in VA hospitals.

Cardiac catheterization begins with arterial access and ends with access-site closure, both of which are fundamental to the safe performance of diagnostic and interventional proceduresThe preferred arterial access site and method of arteriotomy have evolved over 70 years from brachial to femoral and radial access, and from surgical cut-down to percutaneous punctureCompared with femoral artery access, radial artery access results in fewer access-site bleeds, more rapid time to ambulation, and greater patient comfort, and is, therefore, preferred by many patients and an increasing number of operatorsFemoral and radial vascular closure technique and devices (active and passive) have also been evolving, resulting in more rapid time to haemostasis and reduced local complicationsNovel arterial access routes are being investigated, and new closure systems are being developed for interventions requiring large-calibre devicesExpertise in both femoral and radial artery access and intervention is essential for contemporary interventional cardiologists

BackgroundRadial artery occlusion (RAO) with transradial access is reported in 6-9% of patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) and may preclude the creation of an arteriovenous fistula for dialysis. Distal transradial access (dTRA) has lower rates of RAO compared with proximal transradial access but studies excluded patients with advanced CKD.Methods:We sought to define procedure characteristics and RAO rates with dTRA in CKD. Patients who underwent cardiac catheterization with dTRA from 01/01/2019 to 01/01/2022 with follow-up of radial artery patency by reverse Barbeau or repeat access of the artery were included.Results:A total of 68 patients with a median age of 60 (IQR 54-69), 50 (74%) males were included. A total of 44 (65%) were on hemodialysis. Of the procedures, 59 (87%) were diagnostic and 9 (13%) were PCIs. Access was ultrasound guided, a majority (79%) were right dTRA and all had spasmolytic therapy and patent hemostasis. Sheaths were 5 French short (7 cm) in 40 (59%) and 6 French short in 28 (41%). Mean contrast volume was 20+/-11 ml for diagnostic procedures and 91+/-53 ml for PCIs. Mean radiation exposure was 290+/-156 mGy for diagnostic procedures and 1692+/-961 mGy for PCIs. Mean fluoro time was 5+/-4 mins for diagnostic procedures and 24+/-13 mins for PCIs.Of 9 patients with PCIs, mean number of stents was 2+/-1 and atherectomy was used in 2 (22%) PCIs. The median number of diagnostic catheters was 1(IQR 1-2) and median guides was 1(IQR 1-1) in PCIs. Radial arteries were patent in 68 (100%) at follow-up. (Figure 1)Conclusions:Our cohort demonstrates safety of dTRA in patients with advanced CKD with high rates of radial artery patency.

Introduction:Guidelines recommend considering patient age when choosing coronary revascularization strategies. However, compared with pre-operative frailty, chronologic age provides limited insight into perioperative risk as the population ages.Hypothesis:In Veterans, pre-operative frailty, independent of age, will influence 5-year mortality after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG).Methods:Using the validated VA frailty index (VA-FI), we grouped patients into non-frail (0 - 0.1), pre-frail (>0.1 - 0.2), and frail (>0.2) categories. To determine the association between frailty categories and 5-year mortality we fit a multi-level adjusted Cox proportional hazards model using non-frail patients as the referent. We obtained days in hospital (DIH) in the first postoperative year for all groups and compared results with the Wilcoxon test.Results:Among 13,554 patients (2016 - 2020) who underwent CABG (mean age 67 years; 98.5% males, 79% white), 54% 36% and 22% had diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease and heart failure respectively. The mean pre-operative VA-FI was 0.21(0.1); 31% were pre-frail and 47% were frail. Frailty prevalence was highest in those <60 years (741/1,416 (52%) compared with 60 - 80 years (2,151/8,735 (25%)) and >80 (79/511 (15%)). The 5-year mortality rate (per 1000 patient-years) was higher in frail patients [54.4 (51.4, 57.7); HR (95% CI) 1.75 (1.54,2.00)] and pre-frail [35 (32.1, 38.3); HR 1.2 (1.08,1.34)] than non-frail patients [27.1 (24, 30.6)]. Compared with non-frail patients (mean 2.7 +11.6 days), pre-frail (3.9 +13.9; p < 0.01) and frail (6.3 +17.6; p < 0.01) spend more days in the hospital in the first post-operative year.Conclusions:Irrespective of age, frailty and pre-frailty were prevalent among US Veterans undergoing CABG and were associated with increased mortality risk and longer hospital length of stay, highlighting the need to evaluate for frailty, even among young patients.

This article discusses the controversies surrounding the use of transradial versus transfemoral approaches in the management of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, beginning with a review of the benefits of transradial percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in this population. The unanswered questions about the mechanism underlying the mortality benefit of transradial PCI are discussed, concluding with recommendations for safe and effective strategies for adoption of the transradial approach to optimize outcomes in these high-risk patients.

IMPORTANCE: Many patients undergo cardiac catheterization and/or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) before noncardiac surgery even though these procedures are not routinely indicated. Data on this cohort of patients are limited. OBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics, angiographic findings, and treatment patterns of clinically stable patients undergoing cardiac catheterization and/or PCI before noncardiac surgery in a large national registry. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This study is a retrospective, descriptive analysis of National Cardiac Data Registry CathPCI Registry diagnostic catheterization and PCI data from July 1, 2009, through December 31, 2014. Data analysis was performed from April 21, 2015, to January 4, 2016. The study included 194 444 patients from 1046 sites who underwent coronary angiography before noncardiac surgery. Patients with acute coronary syndrome, cardiogenic shock, cardiac arrest, or emergency catheterization were excluded. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Demographic characteristics, preprocedure noninvasive testing results, angiographic findings, and treatment recommendations are summarized. Among the 27 838 patients who underwent PCI, procedural details, inpatient outcomes, and discharge medications are reported. RESULTS: Of the 194 444 included patients, 113 590 (58.4%) were male, the median age was 65 years (interquartile range, 57-73 years), and 162 532 (83.6%) were white. Most were overweight or obese (152 849 [78.6%]), and 78 847 (40.6%) had diabetes mellitus. Most patients were asymptomatic (117 821 [60.6%]), although 112 302 (57.8%) had been taking antianginal medications within 2 weeks of the procedure. Prior noninvasive stress testing was reported in 126 766 (65.2%), and results were positive in 109 458 (86.3%) of those with stress data. Obstructive disease was present in 93 447 (48.1%). After diagnostic angiography, revascularization with PCI or bypass surgery was recommended in 46 380 patients (23.8%) in the overall cohort, 27 191 asymptomatic patients (23.1%), and 45 083 patients with obstructive disease (48.3%). In the 27 191 patients undergoing PCI, 367 treated lesions (1.3%) were in the left main artery and 3831 (13.8%) in the proximal left anterior descending artery. A total of 11 366 patients (40.8%) received drug-eluting stents. Complications occurred in a few patients, with a catheterization-related mortality rate of 0.05%. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In the largest contemporary US cohort reported to date, most patients undergoing diagnostic catheterization before noncardiac surgery are asymptomatic. The discovery of obstructive coronary artery disease is common, and although randomized clinical trials have found no benefit in outcomes, revascularization is recommended in nearly half of these patients. The overall findings highlight management patterns in this population and the need for greater evidence-based guidelines and practices.

IMPORTANCE: The evolution of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has led to improved safety and efficacy, such that overnight observation can be avoided in some patients. We sought to provide a narrative review of the current literature regarding the outcomes of same-day discharge (SDD) PCI and to describe a framework for the development of an SDD program. OBSERVATIONS: A literature search of PubMed was performed for human studies on SDD PCI published in English from January 1, 1995, to July 31, 2015. We reviewed the studies between June and September 2015. After literature review, we included reports of randomized clinical trials, observational studies, meta-analyses guidelines, and consensus statements in a narrative review. Compared with overnight observation, there was no increase in adverse events (bleeding, repeat coronary procedures, death, or rehospitalization) among patients in these studies who were discharged on the same day of their PCI procedure. Same-day discharge was associated with significant cost savings and was preferred by patients. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The available evidence supports the safety of SDD in selected patients after PCI. Specific programmatic features are important to the successful implementation of SDD after PCI. Greater adoption of SDD programs after PCI has the potential to improve patient satisfaction, increase bed availability, and reduce hospital costs without increasing adverse patient outcomes.

Platelets play a key role in mediating stent thrombosis, which is the major cause of ischemic events immediately after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Antiplatelet therapy is therefore the cornerstone of antithrombotic therapy after PCI. However, the use of antiplatelet agents increases bleeding risk, with more potent antiplatelet agents further increasing bleeding risk. In the past 5 years, potent and fast-acting P2Y12 inhibitors have augmented the antiplatelet armamentarium available to interventional cardiologists. This article reviews the preclinical and clinical data surrounding these new agents, and discusses the significant questions and controversies that still exist regarding the optimal antiplatelet strategy.

Two large trials have reported contradictory results at 1 year after thrombus aspiration in ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). In a 1-year follow-up of the largest randomised trial of thrombus aspiration, we aimed to clarify the longer-term benefits, to help guide clinical practice.