Search

Background. Percutaneous coronary intervention using a drug-eluting stent (DES) is a common therapeutic option for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, stent-associated complications, such as bleeding associated with dual antiplatelet therapy, in-stent restenosis, stent thrombosis, and neoatherosclerosis, remain. Drug-coated balloons (DCBs) are expected to reduce stent-associated complications. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of DCB therapy and compare it with that of DES therapy in patients with ACS. Materials and Methods. In this single-center, retrospective, observational study, we examined all patients with ACS treated with DCB or DES between July 2014 and November 2020. Patients with left main trunk lesions were excluded. The primary outcome was a composite of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE: cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization) at one year. Results. Three hundred and seventy-two patients were treated with DES, and 83 patients were treated with DCB. MACE occurred in 10 (12.0%) patients in the DCB group and in 50 (13.4%) patients in the DES group (P = 0.73). Conclusions. DCB is a valuable and effective therapy for patients with ACS. Moreover, DCB may become an alternative therapy for DES in patients with ACS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. The study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes between the patients receiving coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for the patients with symptomatic severe left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods. Between February 2007 and February 2020, a total of 745 patients who received coronary artery angiography for reduced LV ejection fraction (LVEF) < 40% and symptomatic New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class ≥ 3 were recruited. The patients (N = 236) who were diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy or valvular heart disease without coronary artery stenosis, those with prior history of CABG or valvular surgery (N = 59), those who presented ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI), those with a CAD and SYNTAX score of ≦ 22 (N = 175), those who received emergent CABG for coronary perforation (N = 3), and those who had NYHA class ≦ 2 (N = 65) were excluded. Finally, 116 patients with reduced LVEF and those who had a SYNTAX score >22, who received CABG (N = 47) and PCI (N = 69), were recruited for this study.Results. There was no significant difference in the incidence values of in-hospital course and those of in-hospital mortality, acute kidney injury, and postprocedural hemodialysis. There was no significant difference in the 1-yearfollow-up of recurrent MI, revascularization, or stroke between the groups. The 1-year heart failure (HF) hospitalization rate was significantly lower in the CABG group than in all patients of the PCI group (13.2% vs. 33.3%; p = 0.035); however, there was no significant difference in the same variable between the CABG group and the complete revascularization subgroup (13.2% vs. 28.2%; p = 0.160). The revascularization index (RI) was significantly higher in the CABG group than in all patients of the PCI group or complete revascularization subgroup (0.93 ± 0.12 vs. 0.71 ± 0.25; p < 0.001) and (0.93 ± 0.12 vs. 0.86 ± 0.13; p = 0.019). The 3-year HF hospitalization rate was significantly lower in the CABG group than in all patients of the PCI group (16.2% vs. 42.2%; p = 0.008); however, there was no difference in the same variable between the CABG group and the complete revascularization subgroup (16.2% vs. 35.1%; p = 0.109). Conclusions. In patients with symptomatic (NYHA class ≥ 3) severe LV dysfunction and CAD, CABG brought less HF admission when compared to patients in the PCI group, but this did not differ when compared to the complete revascularization subgroup. Therefore, an extensive revascularization, achieved by CABG or PCI, is associated with a lower HF hospitalization rate during the 3-yearfollow-up period in such populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim of the study: The mammary artery shows excellent long‐term patency and encourages the use of skeletonized bilateral internal thoracic arteries (BITA) for coronary surgery. We analyzed the long‐term outcome of patients operated for myocardial revascularization with BITA in a single center. Materials and Methods: Clinical data and surgical details of patients undergoing coronary surgery with BITA were prospectively collected and retrospectively analyzed. Selected variables were studied as risk factors for sternal wound complication and a subanalysis of clinical outcome for patients aged 70 years or greater was performed. A long‐term follow‐up of the study group is provided. Results: From January 2001 to November 2021, 750 patients underwent myocardial revascularization using BITA grafts (mean age: 61 ± 9.5 years; males: 91%) at our institute. Patients with triple‐vessel disease were 81%, 15.3% of all procedures were performed off‐pump and 3.6% were urgent cases. Hospital mortality was 0.5%. Sternal wound complication was observed in 67 patients (9.0%) with 7 deep sternal wound infections (0.9%). Female gender (odds ratios [OR]: 3.7, p < 0.01), BMI >30 (OR: 1.8, p = 0.04), smoking (OR: 1.8, p = 0.02), and chronic kidney failure (OR: 3.7, p = 0.05) were independent predictors for sternal complications. During a mean follow‐up time of 8.7 ± 5.3 years, 34 patients (4.5%) underwent a repeated myocardial revascularization, and there were 89 all‐cause deaths (11.9%) and the cumulative survival at 5, 10, 15, and 20 years was 97%, 89%, 76%, and 60% for the whole study group 92%, 74%, 47%, and 43% for the subgroup of elderly patients (mean age: 74 ± 3.5 years). Conclusions: Use of skeletonized bilateral thoracic arteries shows low‐rate of wound infection and good long‐term outcome with low risk of repeated revascularizations, regardless of patients' age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Το perform a systematic review with meta-analysis of published data comparing outcomes between a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in dialysis-dependent patients.Methods: We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases for studies including dialysis-dependent patients who underwent either CABG or PCI. This meta-analysis follows the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. We conducted one-stage and two-stage meta-analysis with Kaplan-Meier-derived individual patient data for overall survival and meta-analysis with the random-effects model for the in-hospital mortality and repeat revascularization.Results: Twelve studies met our eligibility criteria, including 13,651 and 28,493 patients were identified in the CABG and PCI arms, respectively. Patients who underwent CABG had overall improved survival compared with those who underwent PCI at the one-stage meta-analysis (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.12, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.09-1.16, p < .0001) and the two-stage meta-analysis (HR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.08-1.23, p < .001, I2  = 30.0%). Landmark analysis suggested that PCI offers better survival before the 8.5 months of follow-up (HR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.92-0.99, p = .043), while CABG offers an advantage after this timepoint (HR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.22-1.32, p < .001). CABG was associated with increased odds for in-hospital mortality (odds ratio [OR]: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.50-1.92, p < .001, I2  = 0.0%) and decreased odds for repeat revascularization (OR: 0.22, 95% CI: 0.14-0.34, p < .001, I2  = 58.08%).Conclusions: In dialysis-dependent patients, CABG was associated with long-term survival but a higher risk for early mortality. The risk for repeat revascularization was higher with PCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To evaluate changes in blood pressure (BP) values in patients with established coronary artery disease (CAD) over 20 years (1997–2017). Materials and Methods. Consecutive patients aged <71 years and hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome or myocardial revascularization procedures were recruited and interviewed 6–18 months after their discharge from the hospital. BP was measured in 1997–1998, 1999–2000, 2006–2007, 2011–2013, and 2016–2017. The same five hospitals took part in the surveys at each time point. Results. We examined 412 patients in 1997–1998, 427 in 1999–2000, 422 in 2006–2007, 462 in 2011–2013, and 272 in 2016–2017. The proportion of patients with BP at the recommended goal was 49.2% in 1997–98, 44.5% in 1999–2000, 44.7% in 2006–07, 51.1% in 2011–13, and 58.8% in 2016–17 (p < 0.001). Mean systolic and diastolic BP decreased significantly independent of age, sex, and education (systolic BP: 137.9 ± 21.4 mmHg in 1997–98, 139.5 ± 21.6 mmHg in 1999–2000, 136.1 ± 20.3 mmHg in 2006–07, 134.8 ± 22.0 mmHg in 2011–13, and 134.2 ± 18.6 mmHg in 2016–17, p < 0.001 ; diastolic BP: 83.4 ± 11.0 mmHg in 1997–98, 84.8 ± 12.0 mmHg in 1999–2000, 85.2 ± 11.0 mmHg in 2006–07, 80.9 ± 12.5 mmHg in 2011–13, and 81.1 ± 10.4 mmHg in 2016–17; p < 0.001). Conclusion. The analysis of five multicenter surveys provides evidence of a decrease in BP in patients with established CAD over two decades. This trend is independent of age, sex, and the education level of the patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare outcomes of three methods of coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG): robotic off‐pump hybrid coronary revascularization (HCR) versus conventional CABG off‐pump (off‐pump coronary artery bypass [OPCAB]) and on‐pump (on‐pump coronary artery bypass [ONCAB]) in women. Methods: Data on women who underwent robotic off‐pump HCR or conventional OPCAB or conventional ONCAB between May 2005 and January 2021 were collected. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) with doubly robust method was used to analyze the data. Results: A total of 731 women were included (181 robotic off‐pump HCR, 138 conventional ONCAB, and 412 conventional OPCAB cases). IPTW‐adjusted analyses revealed the following: (1) for operative times, robotic off‐pump HCR presented longer times when compared with OPCAB, but shorter times when compared with ONCAB; (2) compared with ONCAB and OPCAB, robotic off‐pump HCR presented lower rates of reintervention for bleeding, intra‐ and postoperative blood transfusions, higher rates of extubation in the OR with less prolonged ventilation, lower rates of postoperative atrial fibrillation, and shorter intensive care unit and hospital length of stay; (3) no statistically significant differences for operative mortality were observed comparing robotic off‐pump HCR with ONCAB (IPTW‐adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 0.77; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.07–7.85; p =.822) and with OPCAB (IPTW‐adjusted OR: 4.27; 95% CI: 0.27–66.88; p =.301); 4. long‐term survival was similar with HCR compared with ONCAB (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.36–1.50, p =.401) and OPCAB (HR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.50–1.58, p =.683). Conclusions: In our local experience, robotic off‐pump HCR in women was as safe as conventional ONCAB and OPCAB and may further improve postoperative outcomes when performed frequently by a dedicated team, producing better perioperative outcomes without compromising survival in the long run. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The clinical effects of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with chronic total occlusion (CTO) lesions remain unclear. Methods. We identified all full-text published studies that compared the effects of IVUS-guided CTO-PCI with angiography-guided CTO-PCI by searching electric databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and ISI Web of Science from the establishment to Nov 2021. There was no language limitation. The endpoints included the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), cardiac death, all-cause death, myocardial infarction (MI), and target vessel revascularization (TVR). Results. Five studies involving a total of 2320 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Compared to the angiography-guided group, IVUS-guided PCI showed no significant reduction in the incidence of MACE (I2 = 27.4%, P = 0.239; RR 0.929, 95% CI 0.765 to 1.128, P = 0.457), cardiac death (I2 = 0.0%, P = 0.459; RR 0.574, 95% CI 0.299 to 1.103, P = 0.096), all-cause death (I2 = 0.0%, P = 0.964; RR 0.677, 95% CI 0.395 to 1.163, P = 0.158), MI (I2 = 46.7%, P = 0.131; RR0.836, 95% CI 0.508 to 1.377, P = 0.482), and TVR (I2 = 21.2%, P = 0.279; RR 0.929, 95% CI 0.679 to 1.272, P = 0.648). Conclusions. IVUS-guided PCI demonstrated no significant benefit on MACE, cardiac death, all-cause death, MI, and TVR in patients with CTO lesions. However, given the study's limitations, additional high-quality RCTs are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. We aimed to investigate the expression of long noncoding RNA- (lncRNA-) HEIH in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and its impact on patients' prognosis. Patients and Methods. From July 2015 to December 2018, 250 patients who underwent coronary angiography, including 50 in the control group and 150 in the CAD group, were collected for detection of the expression of lncRNA-HEIH by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The severity of CAD was evaluated through SYNTAX scoring system. In addition, these patients with CAD were followed up for 3 years, and the major cardiac adverse events such as myocardial infarction and revascularization were recorded. Results. The expression of lncRNA-HEIH in plasma of patients with CAD was remarkably higher than that in the control subjects and was verified to be relevant to the severity of CAD. Meanwhile, it was found that CAD patients with high expression of lncRNA-HEIH had higher rates of dyslipidemia as well as CAD family history and higher overall incidence of major cardiac adverse events than those with low expression of lncRNA-HEIH. Conclusions. lncRNA-HEIH expression is upregulated in the plasma of CAD patients, which is capable of affecting the prognosis of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. The survey's aim was to examine the significance of infarct-related artery (IRA) occlusion (verified angiographically) on very long-term outcomes of patients with acute myocardial infarction, within the STEMI and NSTEMI diagnosis. Methods. A single-center, nonrandomized, registry-based study on patients treated for acute coronary syndrome with percutaneous coronary intervention between June 2011 and December 2016 was conducted. Patients with angiographically proven IRA occlusion (100% stenosis with TIMI flow 0 distal to occlusion) were categorized as occlusive myocardial infarction (OMI) and patients with patent IRA (50–99% stenosis with TIMI 1–3 flow) were categorized as nonocclusive myocardial infarction (NOMI) and very long-term outcomes were analyzed. Data were collected prospectively from the hospital's PCI registry and the database of the Croatian Institute of Public Health. Results. A total of 2450 patients were included in the study. 796 (32.5%) patients had NOMI and 1654 patients (67.5%) had OMI. According to ECG changes, 1534 patients presented with STEMI (62,6%) and 916 with NSTEMI (37,8%). 88% of STEMI patients presented with OMI and 12% with NOMI, while patients with NSTEMI in 33,8% presented with OMI and in 66,81% with NOMI. A median follow-up was 4.7 years. There was no significant difference in cardiovascular mortality between the groups (14.8% vs 13.1%; OMI vs NOMI, respectively; p = 0.374) neither in all-cause mortality (19% vs 21.5%; OMI vs NOMI, respectively; p = 0.374). Patients with NSTEMI had a significantly higher very long-term mortality (21.6% vs 18.1%; NSTEMI vs STEMI, respectively; p = 0.029). Conclusion. The main findings of the study are as follows: (1) total IRA occlusion was not associated with higher long-term mortality; (2) NSTEMI was associated with a higher mortality rate compared with STEMI, independent of angiographic presentation (OMI/NOMI); (3) IRA occlusion was not associated with significantly higher mortality rates in patients with STEMI and NSTEMI, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using internal mammary artery is a frequently performed procedure for the treatment of coronary artery disease nowadays. Ipsilateral breast necrosis is a rare and seldom reported complication that may mimic breast cancer on presentation. However, contralateral breast necrosis has not been reported to date. We are reporting the first case of bilateral breast necrosis after CABG using the left internal mammary artery. We discuss the different underlying mechanisms and possible co‐factors behind the development of this rare complication, and we also share a successful management approach to conserve the breast and improve the patient's outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents (DES) of small-vessel coronary artery disease (SVD) is related to an increased risk of in-stent restenosis (ISR) and stent thrombosis (ST). The application of the drug-coated balloon (DCB) for patients with SVD remains controversial. Objectives. Assess the outcomes of DCB in the treatment of SVD compared with DES in patients with SVD. Methods. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published up to June 2020, reporting the outcomes of DCB versus DES in the treatment of SVD, was performed. Results. Four RCTs with 1227 patients were included. The results indicated that DCB was associated with the decreased risk for myocardial infarction (MI) compared with the DES, but the difference showed no significance (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.24–1.03, P = 0.06). And, there was no significant difference in death (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.17–3.43, P = 0.72), cardiac death (OR 1.92, 95% CI 0.74–4.98, P = 0.18), target vessel revascularization (TVR) (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.51–1.28, P = 0.36), target lesion revascularization (TLR) (OR 1.29, 95% CI 0.66–2.52, P = 0.46), and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.61–1.38, P = 0.69) between the DCB group and DES group. Conclusion. Compared with DES, DCB was associated with a decreased risk of MI among patients with SVD, but the difference showed no significance. The application of DCB in SVD is associated with comparable outcomes of death, TVR, and MACE when compared with DES. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) grafting is associated with improved survival, many surgeons are reluctant to use this technique, especially in female patients, due to its greater complexity and potential increased risk of sternal infection. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of male and female patients who underwent BITA grafting. Methods: We evaluated at the early outcome and late mortality, 551 female versus 2525 male patients who underwent isolated BITA grafting between January 1996 and December 2011. To adjust for differences in demographic and clinical characteristics, a multivariate risk analysis and propensity score matching were performed. Kaplan–Meier analysis was performed for the entire cohort and for the matched cohort. Results: Female patients were older and were more likely than males to have congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, and diabetes. Sternal infection was more frequent in females than males (3.3% vs. 1.8%; p =.04). Differences were not observed in operative mortality (2.9% vs. 1.9%; p =.15) and stroke incidence (3.4% vs. 2.6; p =.30). After multivariate risk analysis and propensity score matching, the female gender was not found to be a predictor of worse outcomes. There was no difference in median survival among female and male patients (14.3 and 14.2 years, respectively; p =.68). Conclusion: Our results support the routine use of BITA grafting in proper selected female patients who undergo myocardial revascularization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recently published 2019 guidelines on chronic coronary syndromes (CCS) focus on the need for noninvasive imaging modalities to accurately establish the diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) and assess the risk of clinical scenario occurrence. Appropriate patient management should rely on controlling symptoms, improving prognosis, and guiding each therapeutic strategy as well as monitoring disease progress. Among the noninvasive imaging modalities, cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) has gained broad acceptance in past years due to its unique features in providing a complete assessment of CAD through data on cardiac anatomy and function and myocardial viability, with high spatial and temporal resolution and without ionizing radiation. In detail, evaluation of the presence and extent of myocardial ischemia through stress CMR (S-CMR) has shown a high rule-in power in detecting functionally significant coronary artery stenosis in patients suspected of CCS. Moreover, S-CMR technique may add significant prognostic value, as demonstrated by different studies which have progressively evidenced the valuable power of this multiparametric imaging modality in predicting adverse cardiac events. The latest scientific progress supports a greater expansion of S-CMR with improvement of quantitative myocardial perfusion analysis, myocardial strain, and native mapping within the same examination. Although further study is warranted, these techniques, which are currently mostly restricted to the research field, are likely to become increasingly prevalent in the clinical setting with the scope of increasing accuracy in the selection of patients to be sent to invasive revascularization. This review investigates the diagnostic and prognostic role of S-CMR in the context of CAD, by analysing a strong, long-standing, scientific evidence together with an appraisal of new advanced techniques which may potentially enrich CAD management in the next future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Single‐inflow coronary bypass through left internal thoracic artery and Y graft is effective in myocardial revascularization, but left sublavian diseases may affect its safety. Aim of the study: To assess that, in presence of a composite Y graft, issues involving the origin of the left internal thoracic artery are relatively easy to manage, even in reoperations. Methods: A critical stenosis of the subclavian artery involving the origin of a bilateral internal thoracic artery Y graft was bypassed using a free radial artery graft. Results: Bypass was performed between the left thoracic artery and the ascending aorta, off‐pump and with excellent results. Conclusions: In consideration of the excellent long term results of total arterial revascularization, radial artery is a feasible graft option, even in case of a composite Y graft in place. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study sought to assess the efficacy of oversized drug-coated balloon (DCB) inflation at low pressure for the prevention of acute dissections and late restenosis.Background: The major limitation of DCB coronary angioplasty is the occurrence of severe dissection after inflation of DCB.Methods: Between 2014 and 2018, 273 consecutive patients were retrospectively studied. 191 lesions (154 patients) treated by oversized DCB inflation at low pressure (<4 atm, 2.4 ± 1.2 atm, DCB/artery ratio 1.14 ± 0.22; LP group) were compared with 135 lesions (119 patients) treated by the standard DCB technique (7.1 ± 2.2 atm, DCB/artery ratio 1.03 ± 0.16; SP group).Results: Although the lesions in the LP group were more complex than those in the SP group (smaller reference diameter (2.38 mm vs. 2.57 mm, P=0.011), longer lesions (11.7 mm vs. 10.5 mm, P=0.10), and more frequent use of rotational atherectomy (45.0% vs. 28.1%, P=0.003), there was no significant difference in the NHLBI type of dissections between the two groups (11.5%, 12.0%, 5.2% vs. 12.6%, 12.6%, 2.2% in type A, B, and C, P=0.61), and no bailout stenting was required. In 125 well-matched lesion pairs after propensity score analysis, the cumulative incidence of target lesion revascularization at 3 years was 4.5% vs. 7.0%, respectively (P=0.60). Late lumen loss (-0.00 mm vs. -0.01 mm, P=0.94) and restenosis rates (7.4% vs. 7.1%, P=1.0) were similar in both of the groups.Conclusion: The application of oversized DCB at low pressure is effective and feasible for preventing late restenosis comparative to the standard technique of DCB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of the study was to compare results off‐pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) combined mitral valve reconstruction (MVR) with standard on‐pump approach. Methods: From January 2014 to December 2017, a total of 53 patients received a combined myocardial revascularization and MVR for multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD) complicated by severe ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR). All the subjects were divided into two groups: group I: 27 patients, received OPCAB + MVR, and group II (control group): 26 patients with on‐pump myocardial revascularization (ONCAB) + MVR. Results: The aortic cross‐clamp (ACC) and cardio‐pulmonary bypass (CPB) times were longer in group II, 47.0 (44.0; 55.0) vs 94.5 (89.75; 105.5) minutes, P <.05 and 70.0 (63.0; 77.0) vs 138.5 (127.0; 157.5) minutes, P <.05, respectively. Evaluation of major clinical events showed that the implementation of the off‐pump stage of myocardial revascularization in patients with severe IMR did not lead to significant changes in the mortality and postoperative complications. Furthermore, its use did not affect the volume of blood loss and need for blood transfusion, the duration of mechanical ventilation, the need for inotropic therapy, as well as the duration of the patient's resuscitation and the total duration of hospitalization, with the one exception: the troponin‐T level increase in the OPCAB + MVR group was less than in the ONCAB + MVR group. Conclusion: OPCAB combined MVR in patients with CAD and severe IMR can be performed with shorter CPB and ACC times, and lower troponin‐T level after surgery, without reducing the risk of surgical complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Cardiac surgery carries a well-known risk of perioperative myocardial infarction (MI), which is associated with high morbidity and both in-hospital and late mortality. The rapid haemodynamics deterioration and presence of myocardial ischemia early after cardiac surgical operations is a complex life-threatening condition where rapid diagnosis and management is of fundamental importance. Objective. To analyse the factors associated with mortality of patients with postcardiotomy MI and to study the role of emergency coronary angiography in management and outcome. Methods. We retrospectively enrolled adult patients diagnosed to have postcardiotomy MI and underwent emergency coronary angiography at our tertiary care hospital between January 2016 and August 2019. Results. Sixty-one patients from consecutive 1869 adult patients who underwent cardiac surgeries were enrolled in our study. The studied patients had a mean age of 49 ± 16.2 years with a mean BMI of 29.5 ± 6.6 and 65.6% of them were males. As compared to the survivors group, the nonsurvivors of perioperative MI had significant preoperative CKD, postoperative AKI, longer CPB time, frequent histories of previous PCI, previous cardiotomies, pre and postoperative ECMO use, higher median troponin I levels, higher peak and 24 hours median lactate levels. Regression analysis revealed that reoperation for revascularization (OR: 23; 95% CI: 8.27–217.06; P = 0.034) and hyperlactataemia (OR: 3.21; 95% CI: 1.14–9.04; P = 0.027) were independent factors associated with hospital mortality after perioperative MI. Hospital mortality occurred in 25.7% vs 86.7% (P < 0.001), AKI occurred in 37.1% vs 93.3% (P < 0.001), haemodialysis was used in 28.6% vs 80% (P = 0.002), and mediastinal exploration for bleeding was performed in 31.4% vs 80% (P = 0.006) in the PCI and reoperation groups, respectively, while there were no significant differences regarding gastrointestinal bleeding, cerebral strokes, or intracerebral bleeding. The median peak troponin level was 795 (IQR 630–1200) vs 4190 (IQR 3700–6300) (P < 0.001) in the PCI and reoperation groups, respectively. Absence of significant angiographic findings occurred in 18% of patients. Conclusions. Perioperative MI is associated with significant morbidities and hospital mortality. Reoperation for revascularization and progressive hyperlactataemia are independent predictors of hospital mortality. Emergency coronary angiography is helpful in diagnosis and management of perioperative MI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Operative technique for surgical myocardial revascularization in high-risk patients remains an argument of debate. On-pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) with cardioplegic arrest and off-pump CABG have intrinsic limitations. The hybrid approach of on-pump beating-heart CABG (OPBHC) has been proposed over the years with conflicting results. This systematic review and meta-analysis intends to summarize the contemporary literature.Methods: A literature search was conducted through major electronic databases. The systematic review provided a total of 279 articles, of those 17 studies were included in the present study.Results: Compared with on-pump CABG, OPBHC patients showed a preoperative higher risk profile but had reduced early mortality (risk ratio [RR], 0.59, 95% CI, 0.36-0.97) and reduced postoperative stroke (RR, 0.60, 95% CI, 0.39-0.91). Also, interesting trends towards reduced postoperative intra-aortic balloon pump use (RR, 0.56, 95% CI, 0.31-1.01) and myocardial infarction (RR, 0.48, 95% CI, 0.22-1.07) were observed. Baseline characteristics and postoperative complications were similar between OPBHC and off-pump CABG, but limited data are available. The risk of incomplete revascularization in OPBHC is lower than off-pump CABG (RR, 0.53, 95% CI, 0.33-0.87) but higher than conventional on-pump CABG (RR, 1.71, 95% CI, 1.23-2.39).Conclusion: OPBHC is an effective technique to perform surgical revascularization in high-risk patients as preventing haemodynamic deterioration and guaranteeing adequate end-organ perfusion. OPBHC represents an alternative technique to on-pump and off-pump CABG, in those cases in which complications deriving from cardioplegic arrest or manipulation of the heart are more likely. For these reasons, OPBHC might be useful in patients with recent myocardial infarction or with left ventricular dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We aim to evaluate long-term outcomes after left main coronary artery (LMCA) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).Background: PCI of the LMCA has been an acceptable revascularization strategy in stable coronary artery disease. However, limited studies on long-term clinical outcomes of LMCA PCI in ACS patients are available.Methods: A total of 6429 consecutive patients with ACS undergoing PCI in Fuwai Hospital in 2013 were enrolled. Patients are divided into LMCA group and Non-LMCA group according to whether the target lesion was located in LMCA. Prognosis impact on 2-year major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) is analyzed.Results: 155 (2.4%) patients had target lesion in LMCA, while 6274 (97.6%) patients belong to the non-LMCA group. Compared with non-LMCA patients, LMCA patients have generally more comorbidities and worse baseline conditions. Two-year follow-up reveals that LMCA patients have significantly higher rate of cardiac death (2.6% vs. 0.7%, p = 0.034), myocardial infarction (7.1% vs. 1.8%, p < 0.001), in-stent thrombosis (4.5% vs. 0.8%, p < 0.001), and stroke (7.1% vs. 6.4%, p = 0.025). After adjusting for confounding factors, LMCA remains independently associated with higher 2-year myocardial infarction rate (HR = 2.585, 95% CI = 1.243-5.347, p = 0.011).Conclusion: LMCA-targeted PCI is an independent risk factor for 2-year myocardial infarction in ACS patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) is one of the most commonly performed cardiac surgeries in the world. CABG using the internal mammary artery (IMA) remains the gold standard intervention for myocardial intervention in multivessel coronary artery disease. IMA harvesting can be performed with various techniques and approaches: pedicled vs skeletonized harvesting technique as well as approaches such as conventional sternotomy, robotic and endoscopic approaches. While each technique and approach have their respective advantages and disadvantages, evidence remains varied between cohorts. Traditionally, IMA has been used as an in situ conduit; however, IMA free grafts also provide satisfactory outcomes in certain situations. This literature review aims to explore the efficacy of different techniques and approaches of IMA harvesting and grafting. With evidence compiled, this will provide an overview of the complexity of CABG and locate gaps in current literature to direct future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Coronary revascularization procedures often cause lowered exercise capacity and declining physical activity levels. These outcomes are paramount in predicting morbidity and mortality after these procedures. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) focuses on incrementing cardiovascular endurance, exercise capacity, muscle strength, levels of physical activity, and quality of life through health education and lifestyle modification in post-coronary revascularization patients. Objective. To review the impact of cardiac rehabilitation on functional capacity, levels of physical activity, and health related quality of life in patients following coronary revascularization. Methods. A structured literature search in PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and ProQuest for studies focused on CR and its effects on functional capacity, physical activity, and quality of life after coronary revascularization. Results. A total of 2,010 studies were retrieved. Deduplication and eligibility screening included 190 studies after the application of filters. A sum of 21 studies were considered for this review. Most studies reported that exercise and physical activity programs were centre-based and home-based and via telerehabilitation. Treadmill and cycle ergometry training with callisthenics and flexibility exercises in phase 2 CR exhibited significant improvement in functional capacity and physical activity levels in patients after coronary revascularization procedures. Conclusion. Although centre-based supervised CR programs do improve functional capacity after coronary revascularization, home-based or telerehabilitation-based CR programs are feasible, improve patient compliance in improving physical activity, and thereby increase functional capacity. Patient education improves levels of physical activity, health related quality of life, and adherence to home- and centre-based CR programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Whether optimal cardiovascular health metrics may reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in secondary prevention is uncertain. The study was conducted to evaluate the influence of lifestyle changes on clinical outcomes among the subjects underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods. The study group consists of 17,099 consecutive PCI patients. We recorded data on subject lifestyle behavior changes after their procedure. Patients were categorized as ideal, intermediate, or poor CV health according to a modified Life's Simple 7 score (on body mass, smoking, physical activity, diet, cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose). Multivariable COX regression was used to evaluate the association between CV health and revascularization event. We also tested the impact of cumulative cardiovascular health score on reoccurrence of cardiovascular event. Results. During a 3-year median follow-up, 1,583 revascularization events were identified. The observed revascularization rate was 8.0%, 9.3%, and 10.6% in the group of patients with optimal (a modified Life's Simple 7 score of 11–14), average (score = 9 or 10), or inadequate (less or equal than 8) CV health, respectively. After multivariable analysis, the adjusted hazard ratios were 0.83 (95% CI: 0.73–0.94) and 0.89 (95% CI: 0.79–0.99) for patients with optimal and average lifestyle changes comparing with the inadequate tertile (P for trend = 0.003). In addition, each unit increase in above metrics was associated with a decrease risk of revascularization (HR, 0.96; 95% confidence interval, 0.93–0.98; P < 0.001). Conclusion. Ideal CV health related to lower incidence of cardiovascular events, even after the percutaneous coronary intervention. Revascularization can be reduced by lifestyle changes. The cardiovascular health metrics could be extrapolated to secondary prevention and need for further validation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Optimal revascularization strategy in multivessel (MV) coronary artery disease (CAD) eligible for percutaneous management (PCI) and surgery remains unresolved. We evaluated, in a randomized clinical trial, residual myocardial ischemia (RI) and clinical outcomes of MV-CAD revascularization using coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), hybrid coronary revascularization (HCR), or MV-PCI.Methods: Consecutive MV-CAD patients (n = 155) were randomized (1 : 1 : 1) to conventional CABG (LIMA-LAD plus venous grafts) or HCR (MIDCAB LIMA-LAD followed by PCI for remaining vessels) or MV-PCI (everolimus-eluting CoCr stents) under Heart Team agreement on equal technical and clinical feasibility of each strategy. SPECT at 12 months (primary endpoint of RI that the trial was powered for; a measure of revascularization midterm efficacy and an independent predictor of long-term prognosis) preceded routine angiographic control.Results: Data are given, respectively, for the CABG, HCR, and MV-PCI arms. Incomplete revascularization rate was 8.0% vs. 7.7% vs. 5.7% (p=0.71). Hospital stay was 13.8 vs. 13.5 vs. 4.5 days (p < 0.001), and sick-leave duration was 23 vs. 16 vs. 8 weeks (p < 0.001). At 12 months, RI was 5 (2, 9)% vs. 5 (3, 7)% vs. 6 (3, 10)% (median; Q1, Q3) with noninferiority p values of 0.0006 (HCR vs. CABG) and 0.016 (MV-PCI vs. CABG). Rates of angiographic graft stenosis/occlusion or in-segment restenosis were 20.4% vs. 8.2% vs. 5.9% (p=0.05). Clinical target vessel/graft failure occurred in 12.0% vs. 11.5% vs. 11.3% (p=0.62). Major adverse cardiac and cerebral event (MACCE) rate was similar (12% vs. 13.4% vs. 13.2%; p=0.83).Conclusion: In this first randomized controlled study comparing CABG, HCR, and MV-PCI, residual myocardial ischemia and MACCE were similar at 12 months. There was no midterm indication of any added value of HCR. Hospital stay and sick-leave duration were shortest with MV-PCI. While longer-term follow-up is warranted, these findings may impact patient and physician choices and healthcare resources utilization. This trial is registered with NCT01699048. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. Comprehensive study of autonomic regulation assessed during follow-up could provide new detailed information about the risks stratification for hypertensive patients. Therefore, we investigated the associations of these indices with death, stroke, and revascularization during the follow-up observation of 55 patients. Methods. All patients were with target organ damage, and 27 of them had associated clinical conditions (ACC). Mean age of patients with and without ACC was 62.6 ± 4.2 and 51.9 ± 9.9 (mean ± SD) years, respectively. Follow-up was from 66 to 95 months. At entry, autonomic regulation was assessed by the tilt test, Valsalva maneuver, hand-grip test, and cold-stress vasoconstriction. Hemodynamic parameters were measured by continuous blood pressure monitoring, occlusion plethysmography, and electrocardiography. Re-examination of patients was carried out by questioning and physical and laboratory examination. Results. We found that fatal outcomes were associated with a lower Valsalva index (1.34 ± 0.16 vs. 1.69 ± 0.37, P < 0.05) and depressed cold vasoconstriction (0.20 ± 0.02 vs. 0.39 ± 0.16%, P < 0.05) but with higher peripheral resistance (1.36 ± 0.19 vs. 0.89 ± 0.25, P < 0.001) and respiratory-range blood pressure variability (BPV) (18.2 ± 14.2 vs. 6.2 ± 4.2 mmHg, P < 0.001). Higher total-range BPV (103 ± 51 vs. 65 ± 45 mmHg, P < 0.05) in patients who had a stroke was observed. Initial diastolic orthostatic hypertension (6.6 ± 10.8 vs. 0.4 ± 6.3 mmHg, P < 0.05) and lower Valsalva index (1.36 ± 0.11 vs. 1.82 ± 0.37, P < 0.05) in patients who suffered a new ACC were important findings as well. Conclusions. This study shows that such autonomic regulation indices as Valsalva index, blood pressure dynamics in the tilt test, cold-stress vasomotor reactivity, and BPV are important for prognosis of hypertension course. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Patients with low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) undergoing high-risk coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are at increased risk for postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock. This report describes planned concomitant microaxial temporary mechanical support (MA-TMS) device placement as a viable bridge-to-recovery strategy for high-risk patients receiving surgical revascularization.Methods: A retrospective review was performed for all patients from October 2017 to May 2019 with low LVEF (<30%), New York Heart Association Class III or IV symptoms, and myocardial viability who underwent CABG with prophylactic MA-TMS support at a single institution (n = 13).Results: Mean patient age was 64.8 years, and 12 patients (92%) were male. Eight patients (62%) presented with acute coronary syndrome. Mean predicted risk of mortality was 4.6%, ranging from 0.6% to 15.6%. An average of 3.4 grafts were performed per patient. Greater than 60% of patients were extubated within 48 hours and out-of-bed within 72 hours, and the average duration of MA-TMS was 5.7 days. Mean postoperative length of stay was 16.7 days. There were no postoperative myocardial infarctions or deaths.Conclusions: Prophylactic MA-TMS may allow safe and effective surgical revascularization for patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction who may otherwise be offered a durable ventricular assist device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a significant source of morbidity and mortality in developed countries. The landmark Surgical Treatment for Ischemic Heart Failure (STICH) trial has provided greatly needed evidence in the management of patients with severe left ventricle (LV) dysfunction (LVEF ≤ 35%) and CAD amenable to revascularization. The trial investigated two primary hypotheses: (i) that coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with optimal medical therapy (OMT) was superior to OMT alone, and (ii) that CABG with surgical ventricular reconstruction (SVR) would be superior to CABG alone. The results of the 10-year follow-up demonstrated significant long-term benefits with the addition of CABG to OMT. However, the second hypothesis yielded controversial results as the study found no difference between CABG with SVR and SVR alone. The STICH trial, and the numerous subanalyses that followed have reinforced and challenged a number of widely held beliefs regarding the management of patients with severe LV dysfunction and ischemic heart failure. The purpose of this comprehensive review is to outline the published data from the STICH trial and its substudies while providing a balanced assessment of the evidence-based conclusions and criticisms that have followed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim Of the Study: The possible association of off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) with reduced risk of postoperative stroke and enhanced benefits in high-risk patients support the hypothesis that patients with a positive history of cerebrovascular disease would benefit from off-pump coronary surgery. This study aims to investigate the impact of off-pump CABG on the incidence of postoperative neurologic events in patients with a previous history of cerebrovascular disease.Methods: From January 2015 to September 2018, 414 patients underwent isolated CABG with a previous history of transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke: 295 patients had on-pump CABG and 119 patients had off-pump CABG. Neurological outcomes of interest are postoperative stroke (transient or permanent), delirium requiring pharmacological treatment or a combination of both, collectively defined "Major Adverse Neurological Events" (MANE). Propensity score (PS) adjusted analysis has been used for regression models.Results: Off-pump CABG carried a lower incidence of postoperative stroke (3.4% vs 9.8%, P = .046, PS-adjusted odds ratio 0.34 with P = .044). Postoperative delirium occurred more than twice as often in the on-pump group (11.5% vs 4.2%, P = .034, PS-adjusted odds ratio 2.78 with P = .043). The composite outcome of MANE occurred in 20.3% in the on-pump group, and in 7.6% in the off-pump group (P = .003). Other complications were similar between groups.Conclusions: In patients with a previous TIA or stroke, off-pump CABG is associated with a reduced risk of stroke, delirium, and postoperative adverse neurological events, compared to on-pump CABG. Patients with high neurological risk can potentially benefit from off-pump CABG, due to an overall reduction of postoperative neurological complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim Of the Study: We explored the current evidence available on total arterial revascularization (TAR) carrying out a meta-analysis of propensity score-matched studies comparing TAR versus non-TAR strategy.Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, and Google Scholar were searched for propensity score-matched studies comparing TAR vs non-TAR. The generic inverse variance method was used to compute the combined hazard ratio (HR) of long-term mortality. The Der-Simonian and Laird method were used to compute the combined risk ratio (RR) of 30-day mortality, deep sternal wound infection, and reoperation for bleeding.Results: Eighteen TAR vs non-TAR matched populations were included. Meta-analysis showed a significant benefit in terms of long-term survival of the TAR group over the non-TAR group (HR: 0.73; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.68-0.78). Better long-term survival over non-TAR strategy was confirmed by both subgroups: TAR with the bilateral internal mammary artery (BIMA) and TAR without BIMA. Meta-regression suggests that TAR may offer a higher protective survival effect in diabetic patients (coefficient: -0.0063; 95% CI: -0.01 to 0.0006), when carried out with BIMA (coefficient: -0.15; 95% CI: -0.27 to -0.03) or using three arterial conduits (coefficient: -0.12; 95% CI: -0.25 to 0.007). A TAR strategy carried out using BIMA, differently from TAR without BIMA, increases the risk of deep sternal infection (RR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.17-1.77).Conclusions: TAR provides a long-term survival benefit compared with the non-TAR strategy. Also, compared with TAR without BIMA, TAR with BIMA may offer a higher protective long-term survival effect at the expense of a higher risk of sternal deep wound infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Considering the threat imposed by postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and the potential benefits of off-pump CABG, the objective of this study was to describe the incidence and identify predictor factors for POAF in patients undergoing CABG without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we enrolled patients undergoing CABG without CPB between December 2008 and December 2011. The independent variables evaluated in this study were major patients' characteristics (age, sex, and ethnia), associated comorbidities (systemic arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, thyroid dysfunction, chronic renal failure (CRF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and ischemic stroke), and the revascularization approach (the number of grafts used, the revascularized branch, and the choice of vascular graft (arterial or venous). The dependent variable was the onset of atrial fibrillation after the procedure.Results: Two hundred and eighty patients were included in the present study. The overall incidence of POAF after off-pump CABG was 5.0%. In the univariate analysis, the presence of chronic renal failure (odds ratio [OR], 3.01 [1.00-9.06], P = .049) and the use of venous-origin graft alone (OR, 9.67 [1.15-81.56], P = .037) were associated with an increased risk or POAF. These findings were confirmed after multivariate analysis, for both CRF (OR, 3.31 [1.05-10.46], P = .042) and the use of venous-origin graft alone (OR, 9.81 [1.13-85.35], P = .039).Conclusion: Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting proved a safe and effective procedure, with low postoperative atrial fibrillation occurrence, for myocardial revascularization. Chronic renal insufficiency and the use of venous-origin graft solely proved to be independent predictor factors for PAOF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the effect of extent of revascularization in complex high-risk indicated patients (CHIP) undergoing Impella-protected percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Background: Complete revascularization has been shown to be associated with improved outcomes. However, the impact of more complete revascularization during Impella-protected PCI in CHIP has not been reported.Methods: A total of 86 CHIP undergoing elective PCI with Impella 2.5 or Impella CP between April 2007 and December 2016 from 2 high volume Italian centers were included. Baseline, procedural, and clinical outcomes data were collected retrospectively. Completeness of coronary revascularization was assessed using the British Cardiovascular Intervention Society myocardial jeopardy score (BCIS-JS) derived revascularization index (RI). The primary end-point was all-cause mortality. A multivariate regression model was used to identify independent predictors of mortality.Results: All patients had multivessel disease and were considered unsuitable for surgery. At baseline, 44% had left main disease, 78% had LVEF ≤ 35%, and mean BCIS-JS score was 10±2. The mean BCIS-JS derived RI was 0.7±0.2 and procedural complications were uncommon. At 14-month follow-up, all-cause mortality was 10.5%. At follow-up, 67.4% of CHIP had LVEF ≥ 35% compared to 22.1% before Impella protected-PCI. Higher BCIS-JS RI was significantly associated with LVEF improvement (p=0.002). BCIS-JS RI of ≤ 0.8 (HR 0.11, 95% CI 0.01- 0.92, and p = 0.042) was an independent predictor of mortality.Conclusions: These results support the practice of percutaneous Impella use for protected PCI in CHIP. A more complete revascularization was associated with significant LVEF improvement and survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. To evaluate whether a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is a risk factor in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods. A retrospective cohort study from February 2013 to January 2017 was performed, and 1600 patients were included (136 patients with EF <50% and 1464 patients with EF ≥50%); all patients underwent PCI. Revascularization, in-hospital mortality, and in-hospital myocardial infarction (MI) during hospitalization were evaluated. Results. The mean age of patients with EF <50% was 62.18 ± 10.31 years, while the mean age of patients with EF ≥50% was 60.06 ± 10.89 years (P=0.029). In-hospital mortality of patients with EF ≥50% was significantly lower than that of patients with EF <50% (0.12% vs. 3.68%, P<0.001), while no difference was observed in revascularization and in-hospital MI between the two groups (2.39% vs. 2.20%, P=0.892; 0.415% vs. 1.47%, P=0.093, respectively). In the univariate analysis, no significant difference was found in revascularization and in-hospital MI between the two groups (OR: 1.50, 95% CI: 0.95 to 2.38; OR: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.06 to 1.38, respectively) except for in-hospital mortality (OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.05 to 1.27). In multivariate analyses, in-hospital mortality of patients with EF ≥50% was still significantly lower than of patients with EF <50% (OR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.33). There were no differences in revascularization and in-hospital MI between the two groups (OR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.44 to 1.63; OR: 0.04, 95% CI: 0.00 to 1.84, respectively). Conclusions. Reduced LVEF is a risk factor for in-hospital mortality in patients after PCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of our systematic review was to investigate the efficacy of coronary sinus (CS) reducer device in patients with refractory angina.Background: The CS reducer device provides a therapeutic option for patients with coronary artery disease who are not suitable for revascularization.Methods: Two independent investigators (GB and GT) systematically searched the Medline and Cochrane library databases for studies describing the efficacy and safety of the CS reducer in patients with refractory angina from January 1, 2000 until May 12, 2018 using the following terms: "coronary sinus (reducer OR reducing) device." Efficacy was defined as ≥1 unit improvement in the Canadian cardiovascular society (CCS) score.Results: Our search strategy provided six studies (five observational studies and one randomized clinical trial) with 196 patients. The CS reducer device was effective in 146/186 (78.5%) patients. CCS score improved from 3.2 at baseline to 1.9 after 8.6 months of follow-up. The efficacy of CS reducer device was also demonstrated as an improvement in Seattle Angina Questionnaire score, dobutamine echocardiography, thalium single-photon emission computed tomography perfusion studies, 6-min-walk test and myocardial perfusion reserve index. Implantation failed in 4 of 196 (2%) patients and 5 patients (2.5%) had a complication during 30-day follow-up.Conclusions: The CS reducer is a promising treatment option for patients with refractory angina who are not candidates for revascularization. However, larger randomized control trials with long-term follow-up are needed to elucidate its role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of patients with in-stent restenosis (ISR) who underwent rotablation (RA) followed by balloon angioplasty (BA), drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation, or drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty.Background: Interventional treatment of ISR is occasionally challenging. Despite the availability of various percutaneous treatments, the optimal solution remains unclear.Methods and Results: A total of 200 patients with ISR who underwent RA were retrospectively identified from our institutional database. Clinical outcomes at 12 months and independent predictors of target lesion revascularization (TLR) were assessed. Of patients, 90, 55, and 55 underwent BA, DES implantation, and DCB angioplasty, respectively. The incidence of all-cause death, cardiac death, and hospitalization due to heart failure was low in all groups. Moreover, no definite stent thrombosis was observed in the three groups. The TLR rate of BA, DES implantation, and DCB angioplasty following RA for ISR were 40.7%, 35.0%, and 27.3%, respectively. The adjusted outcomes for TLR using the inverse probability of treatment weighting method based on propensity scores indicated that DCB angioplasty following RA was superior to BA after RA. Intraprocedural complications, which could be successfully managed with interventional treatment, were identified in only three cases.Conclusions: TLR at 12 months is dismal. RA is not effective for ISR requiring RA. In unfavorable settings, DCB angioplasty following RA is the most effective treatment option in patients with ISR requiring debulking strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to explore the predictive factors for left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) improvement after revascularization.Methods: This real-world study examined 993 patients with ischemic HFrEF who had received revascularization (PCI or CABG), had survived at least 90 days and had undergone an echocardiography review. Based on the change in the LVEF, we divided the patients into two groups.Result: We obtained 454 patients with ≥10% improvement and 539 with <10% improvement or deterioration. By Cox regression analysis, we obtained five independent factors for LVEF improvement, including female (P = 0.018, OR 0.726, 95% CI 0.557-0.947), prior MI (P = 0.000, OR 0.590, 95% CI 0.476-0.732), LVEF (P = 0.008, OR 0.967, 95% CI 0.943-0.991), digoxin (P = 0.027, OR 0.708, 95% CI 0.521-0.961), loop diuretic (P = 0.000, OR 1.515, 95% CI 1.208-1.901), and triple-vessel disease (P = 0.000, OR 1.462, 95% CI 1.192-1.792). By multivariate generalized estimation, we obtained seven factors associated with the degree of improvement, namely, low LVEF, short LVESD, short LVEDD, no prior MI, no hyperuricemia, clopidogrel use and triple-vessel disease.Conclusions: The method of revascularization (PCI vs CABG) had no effect on LVEF improvement. Patients with severely impaired baseline LVEFs, triple-vessel disease, or no history of MI tended to exhibit marked LVEF improvement (≥10%) after revascularization. In addition, LVESD, LVEDD, hyperuricemia, clopidogrel use and loop diuretic affected the degree of improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of the proximal optimization technique (POT) to prevent longitudinal stent elongation.Background: The mechanism of stent elongation, which occurs after post-balloon dilation, is still unclear.Methods: A total of 103 lesions treated with optical coherence tomography guided coronary intervention between May 2013 and November 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Lesions were divided according to the circumferential degree of malapposition at the stent edge immediately after deployment into well-apposed group (<180°) and malapposed group (≥180°). Post-dilation was performed from distal to proximal within the stent until August 2016 (non-POT cohort), and POT was applied thereafter (POT cohort). In the POT cohort, post-dilation was done at the proximal portion of the stent with sufficiently large balloon to minimize malapposition followed by distal dilatations. Stent elongation length was defined as the change in stent length from stent deployment to after post-dilatation.Results: In the non-POT cohort, 72 lesions, including 54 lesions in the well-apposed group and 18 in the malapposed group were analyzed. Stent elongation length was significantly longer in the malapposed group than in the well-apposed group (1.51 ± 1.34 mm vs 0.13 ± 0.84 mm, P < 0.01). In the POT cohort, 31 lesions including 21 in the well-apposed group and 10 in the malapposed group were analyzed. Stent elongation length was not significantly different between the groups (-0.09 ± 0.91 mm vs 0.30 ± 0.99 mm, P = 0.29).Conclusions: Malapposition of the stent edge is responsible for longitudinal stent elongation caused by post-dilatation. POT appeared to effectively prevent longitudinal stent elongation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. To assess the incremental prognostic value of SYNTAX score II (SxSII) as compared to anatomical SYNTAX Score (SxS) and GRACE risk score in patients with acute coronary syndromes who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention. Methods and results. SxSII and SxS were determined in 734 ACS patients. Patients were enrolled in the prospective Special Program University Medicine ACS and the COMFORTABLE AMI cohorts and later on stratified according to tertiles of SxSII (SxSIILow ≤21.5 (n=245), SxSIIMid 21.5–30.6 (n=245), and SxSIIHigh ≥30.6 (n=244). The primary endpoint of adjudicated all-cause mortality and secondary endpoints of MACE (cardiac death, repeat revascularization, and myocardial infarction) and MACCE (all-cause mortality, cerebrovascular events, MI, and repeat revascularization) were determined at 1-year follow-up. SxSII provided incremental predictive information for risk stratification when compared to SxS and GRACE risk score (AUC 0.804, 95% CI 0.77–0.84, p<0.001 versus 0.67, 95% CI 0.63–0.72, p=0.007 versus 0.69, 95% CI 0.6–0.8, p=0.002), respectively. In a multivariable Cox regression analysis, we found that unlike SxS (adjusted HR 1.013, 95% CI (0.96–1.07), p=0.654), SxSII was significantly associated with all-cause mortality (HR = 1.095, 95% CI (1.06–1.11), p<0.001). This was also true for the prediction of both secondary outcomes MACE (n=60) and MACCE (n=70) with an adjusted HR = 1.055, 95% CI (1.03–1.08), p<0.001, and HR = 1.065, 95% CI (1.04–1.09), p<0.001. Conclusion. In patients with ACS who underwent PCI, SxSII is an independent predictor of mortality during 1-year follow-up. SxSII shows superiority in discriminating risk compared to conventional SxS and GRACE for all-cause mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traumatic vessel perforation is a potential complication of chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary artery intervention (PCI). A rare consequence of this complication is a coronary-cameral fistula. The management of this condition is not well elucidated. Herein, we present such a case of symptomatic left anterior descending to the right ventricle (LAD-RV) fistula which was treated with coil embolization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Because of the challenges in treating calcified coronary artery disease (CAD), lesion preparation has become increasingly important prior to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Despite growing data for both rotational atherectomy (RA) and orbital atherectomy (OA), there have been no multicenter studies comparing the safety and efficacy of both. We sought to examine the clinical outcomes of patients with calcified CAD who underwent atherectomy.Methods: A total of 39 870 patients from five tertiary care hospitals who had PCI from January 2011 to January 2017 were identified. 907 patients who had RA or OA were included. This multicenter, prospectively collected observational analysis compared OA and RA. The primary end-point was myocardial infarction and safety outcomes including significant dissection, perforation, cardiac tamponade, and vascular complications. Propensity score matching (1:1) was performed to reduce selection bias.Results: After matching, 546 patients were included in the final analysis. The primary endpoint, myocardial infarction occurred less frequently with OA compared to RA (6.7% vs 13.8%, P ≤ 0.01) in propensity score matched cohorts. Procedural safety outcomes were comparable between the groups. The secondary outcome of death on discharge occurred less in the OA group as compared with RA (0% vs 2.2%, P = 0.01). Fluoroscopy time was less in patients who were treated with OA (21.9 vs 25.6 min, P ≤ 0.01). Additional secondary outcomes were comparable between groups.Conclusion: In this non-randomized, multicenter comparison of contemporary atherectomy devices, OA was associated with significantly decreased in-hospital myocardial infarction and mortality after propensity score matching with decreased fluoroscopy time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the systematic chain of care for patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) referred for primary angioplasty in a capital city in Midwestern Brazil.Background: Acute myocardial infarction is recognized as an important cause of morbidity and mortality and as a public health problem worldwide. Early specialized care is crucial for a good prognosis.Methods: All STEMI patients receiving care through the public health system at two tertiary care centers from March 2012 to June 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. Symptom onset-to-balloon time and door-to-balloon time were analyzed and compared with current guideline recommendations.Results: A total of 835 patients were included. Median symptom onset-to-balloon time was 32 h. A total of 783 (94%) patients had had symptoms for more than 12 h and 507 (61%) for more than 24 h. Only 51 (6%) patients arrived within 12 h of symptom onset and were treated with primary angioplasty. Among these patients, median door-to-balloon time was 37 min, in accordance with guideline recommendations.Conclusion: Treatment of STEMI through the public health system in a capital city in Midwestern Brazil falls short of the recommended guidelines due to failure in the initial links of the chain of care. This potentially reversible failure has an important impact on patient outcomes and on health care burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the impact of stent deformity induced by final kissing balloon technique (KBT) for coronary bifurcation lesions on in-stent restenosis (ISR).Background: In experimental models, the detrimental effects of KBT have been clearly demonstrated, but few data exists regarding the impact of proximal stent deformity induced by KBT on clinical outcomes.Methods: We examined 370 coronary lesions where intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided second-generation drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation for coronary bifurcation lesions was performed. Based on IVUS analysis, the stent symmetry index (minimum/maximum stent diameter) and stent overstretch index (the mean of stent diameter/the mean of reference diameter) were calculated in the proximal main vessel.Results: The stent symmetry index was significantly lower (0.75 ± 0.07 vs 0.88 ± 0.06, P < 0.0001) and the stent overstretch index was significantly higher (1.04 ± 0.08 vs 1.01 ± 0.06, P = 0.0007) in lesions with KBT (n = 174) compared to those without KBT (n = 196). The number of two-stent technique in lesions with KBT was 31 (18%). In multivariate analysis, the degree of stent deformity indices was not associated with ISR in lesions with KBT; however, two-stent technique use was the only independent predictor of ISR at 8 months (hazard ratio: 3.96, 95% confidence interval: 1.25-12.5, P = 0.01).Conclusions: Second-generation DES deformity induced by KBT was not associated with mid-term ISR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the short- and long-term clinical outcomes of RA in CTO coronary intervention.Background: The application of rotational atherectomy (RA) may improve the success rate of percutaneous recanalization of chronic total occlusion (CTO) with heavy calcification.Methods: From January 2011 to September 2014, we enrolled 285 patients with CTO who underwent successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Resistant CTO lesions were defined as those with heavy calcifications as well as those that no devices are able to pass after guide wire crossing.Results: All patients with resistant CTO lesions (n = 26) were successfully treated by RA without major complications, except 1 patient complicated with coronary perforation and treated by surgery successfully (success rate: RA group vs non-RA group: 96.2%, vs 89.5%, P = 0.038). Compared to the non-RA group, the patients in the RA group were older (P = 0.028), had higher J-CTO scores (P = 0.001), and needed longer stents (P = 0.001). All patients were followed up for a mean period of 3.4 ± 2.3 years, and the 1-year and long-term clinical outcomes of the RA group were excellent and comparable with those not receiving RA in multivariate analysis adjusted for multiple variables.Conclusion: The treatment of RA is safe and feasible for resistant CTO lesions with heavy calcification. The short- and long-term clinical outcomes of the treatment of RA were excellent and comparable with those not needing RA for CTO PCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the efficacy of drug-coated balloon (DCB) for calcified coronary lesions.Background: Calcified coronary lesions is associated with poor clinical outcomes after revascularization. Recently, DCB is emerging as an alternative strategy for de novo coronary lesions. However, reports describing the efficacy of DCB for calcified coronary lesions are limited.Methods: A total of 81 patients (96 lesions) who electively underwent DCB treatment for de novo coronary lesions were enrolled: 46 patients (55 lesions) in the calcified group and 35 patients (41 lesions) in the non-calcified group. Angiographic follow-up data and clinical outcomes after the procedure were evaluated.Results: The diameter of the DCB used was 2.5 ± 0.5 mm. No bail-out stenting was observed after DCB treatment. Rotational atherectomy was used in 82% of lesions in the calcified group. Follow-up angiography (median, 6.5 months after intervention) was performed for 59 patients (30 in the calcified group and 29 in the non-calcified group). Late lumen loss and rates of restenosis were comparable between the groups (0.03 mm in the calcified group vs -0.18 mm in the non-calcified group, P = 0.093 and 13.9% vs 3.03%, P = 0.095, respectively). The survival rates for target lesion revascularization free survival and major adverse cardiac events at 2 years were comparable between the groups (85.3% vs 93.4%, P = 0.64 and 81.4% vs 88.5%, P = 0.57, respectively).Conclusion: Calcified coronary lesions might dilute the effect of DCB. However, clinical outcomes in the calcified group were similar to those in the non-calcified group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the 12-month clinical outcomes in patients with drug-eluting stent in-stent restenosis (DES-ISR) who were either pre-dilated with non-compliant balloons (NCBA) and with additional scoring balloons (NCBA + SBA) prior to drug coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty.Methods: This monocentric, retrospective study included patients with DES-ISR who were routinely treated over a 2-year time span. Patients with stable angina and documented ischemia or selected forms of unstable angina due to a culprit DES-ISR lesion were analyzed. The primary endpoint was the clinically driven target-lesion revascularization (TLR) rate at 12 months. Secondary endpoints included post-interventional lumen gain and late lumen loss (LLL) at 6 months.Results: The 12-month TLR rates in 124 patients who underwent either NCBA + SBA or NCBA only group were not different (17.3%, 9/52 vs 11.6%, 8/69, P = 0.371) and low as compared to other comparable studies. The use of SBA led to equally high post minimal lumen diameters (MLD) in both treatment arms (NCBA 2.21 ± 0.33 vs NCBA + SBA 2.18 ± 0.41, P = 0.868). We did not find a significant difference in late lumen loss (LLL) between both groups (0.50 ± 0.62 mm vs 0.40 ± 0.46 mm, P = 0.468).Conclusions: Scoring Balloon Angioplasty can safely and effectively prepare DES-ISR lesions to render them suitable for DCB angioplasty with acceptable TLR and MACE rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the long-term clinical impact of revascularization of coronary concomitant coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) in patients with Non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).Background: CTO is associated with poorer prognosis in patients with NSTEMI. The evidence of revascularization of CTO in patients with NSTEMI is still conflicting.Methods: Consecutive patients with NSTEMI and CTO who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) within 72 h of admission from 2006 to 2015 were retrospectively recruited and analyzed. A total of 967 patients underwent PCI for NSTEMI. Among them, 106 (11%) patients had concomitant CTO and were recruited for analysis. CTO lesions were revascularized successfully in 67 (63.2%) patients (successful CTO PCI group), while the CTO in the remaining 39 patients were either not attempted or failed (No/failed CTO PCI group).Results: The 30-day cardiac death and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were significantly lower in the successful CTO PCI group (both cardiac death and MACE were 3% vs 30%, P < 0.001, respectively). A landmark analysis set at 30th day for 30-day survivals was performed. After a mean of 2.5-year follow-up, the long-term cardiac death was still significantly lower (16.9% vs 42.3%, P < 0.001), whereas the MACE showed a trend toward lower incidence (26.2% vs 40.7%, P = 0.051) in the successful CTO PCI group. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, successful revascularization of CTO is an independent protective predictor for long-term cardiac death (HR 0.310, 95% CI, 0.109-0.881, P = 0.028) in all population and in propensity-score matched cohort (P = 0.007).Conclusions: Successful revascularization of CTO was associated with reduced risk of long-term cardiac death in patients with NSTEMI and concomitant CTO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Differences in outcomes for women and men after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in older patients remain controversial. Herein, we compared 2-year outcomes by sex in Chinese older patients undergoing PCI.Methods: A total of 4926 consecutive patients (33.6% women, age ≥60 years, mean age 67.4 ± 5.7 years) who underwent PCI at a single center in China from January 2013 to December 2013 were included in this study. The primary endpoint was 2-year risk of bleeding according to the Bleeding Academic Research Consortium definitions. The secondary endpoints included 2-year risk of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). Hazard ratios were generated using multivariable Cox regression.Results: Compared with men, women had significantly higher rates of in-hospital all-cause mortality (0.8% vs 0.2%, P = 0.001), cardiac death (0.5% vs 0.1%, P = 0.006), MACCE (2.4% vs 1.5%, P = 0.017), and bleeding (0.4% vs 0.1%, P = 0.015). At 2-year follow up, there were no differences between men and women for all-cause mortality (1.9% vs 1.8%, P = 0.839) and 2-year MACCE (13.1% vs 11.8%, P = 0.216). However, women had a higher risk of 2-year bleeding (9.2% vs 6.2%, P < 0.001), which persisted after adjusting for baseline differences and treatment characteristics (hazard ratio 1.35, 95% confidence interval 1.06-1.71; P = 0.014).Conclusion: We found that older women undergoing PCI were at increased risk of 2-year bleeding compared with men. Further dedicated studies are needed to confirm these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Current guidelines recommend coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for patients with multivessel coronary disease and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. However, some patients undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or solely medical therapy (MT) in actual practice. The comparison of long-term outcomes of these three treatment strategies in real world is unclear.Methods: A total of 699 consecutive patients in a single centre from 2004 to 2011 who had TVD and LV ejection fraction ≤40%, no prior PCI or CABG and had completed a median 6.2-year follow-up were evaluated. The primary endpoint was all-cause death. The secondary endpoints included cardiac death, major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE; composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, repeat revascularization, or stroke), and the individual components of the composite endpoint.Results: One hundred forty-two patients (20.3%) underwent PCI, 201 (28.8%) underwent CABG while 356 (50.9%) received MT alone. MT alone was associated with the worst survival (P < 0.001). Compared with PCI, CABG was associated with a similar risk of all-cause death (hazard ratio [HR], 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.52-1.41; P = 0.54) but lower risks of cardiac death (HR, 0.47; 95%CI, 0.25-0.91; P = 0.03), repeat revascularization (HR, 0.29; 95%CI, 0.10-0.85; P = 0.02), and MACCE (HR, 0.63; 95%CI, 0.43-0.93; P = 0.02).Conclusions: For patients with TVD and LV dysfunction, both CABG and PCI were associated with a lower risk of mortality compared with MT alone. Compared with PCI, CABG has a lower risk of cardiac death, repeat revascularization, and MACCE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We aimed to test a novel stent-less revascularization strategy using a combination of excimer laser coronary angioplasty (ELCA) and drug-coated balloon (DCB) for patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).Background: Percutaneous coronary intervention with drug eluting stents is a standard invasive treatment for ACS. Some unsolved issues however remain, such as stent thrombosis and bleeding risks associated with dual antiplatelet therapy.Methods: Consecutive ACS patients were planned to receive either a DCB application following ELCA without a stent implantation or conventional revascularization with a coronary stent. The endpoints were (i) major cardiac adverse events (MACEs), defined as the composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarctions, and target lesion revascularization; (ii) target vessel revascularization (TVR); and (iii) angiographic outcome.Results: Since a greater than expected number of patients allocated to the stent-less treatment arm eventually received a bailout stenting, the following 3 as-treated groups were compared; DCB with ELCA group (N = 60), Stent with ELCA group (N = 23), and Stent without ELCA group (N = 85). During a mean follow-up period of 420 ± 137 days, and with angiographic 6- and 12-month-follow-up rates of 96.7%, 87%, and 81.2%, and 50%, 65.2%, and 45.9%, respectively, the MACE rate did not differ across the groups (10%, 4.3%, and 3.5%; P = 0.22) while an incidence of TVR was more common (15%, 0, and 4.7%; P = 0.02) and the diameter stenosis at 6-months of follow-up was greater (25.7 ± 18.2, 14.9 ± 13.1 and 16.2 ± 15.4%; P = 0.002) in the DCB with ELCA group.Conclusions: The stent-less revascularization strategy with DCB and ELCA was associated with a higher occurrence of restenosis in ACS patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To compare clinical outcome in Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients receiving coronary stents according to stent type BMS versus DES and 1st generation versus 2nd generation DES. Methods and Results PubMed, Cinhal, Cochrane, Embase, and Web of Science were searched for studies including CKD patients. CKD was defined as eGFR < 60 mL/min. We selected n = 35 articles leading to 376 169 patients, of which 76 557 CKD patients receiving BMS n = 35,807, 1st generation DES n = 37,650, or 2nd generation DES n = 3100. Patient receiving DES, compared to BMS, had a 18% lower all-cause mortality (RR 0.82, 95%CI 0.71-0.94). The composite of death or myocardial infarction (MI) was lower in DES patients (RR 0.78, 95%CI 0.67-0.91), as was stent thrombosis (ST) (RR 0.57, 95%CI 0.34-0.95), target vessel/lesion revascularization (TVR/TLR) (RR 0.69, 95%CI 0.57-0.84) and death for cardiovascular cause (RR 0.43, 95%CI 0.25-0.74). We also found a gradient between 1st and 2nd generation DES, through BMS. Second, compared to 1st generation DES, were associated with further relative risk (RR) reduction of -18% in of all-cause death, and lower incidence of stent-related clinical events: -39% RR of ST risk; -27 RR of TVR/TLR risk. Conclusions DES in CKD patients undergoing PCI were superior to BMS in reducing major adverse clinical events. This was possibly explained, by a lower risk of stent-related events as ST and TVR or TLR. Second, compared to 1st generation DES may furtherly reduce clinical events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the 9-month safety and efficacy of polymer-free sirolimus eluting drug eluting stents in septuagenarians and octogenarians.Methods: An all-comer, worldwide single armed trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT02629575) was conducted to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of an ultra-thin strut, polymer-free sirolimus eluting stent (PF-SES). The primary endpoint was the 9-month target revascularization rate (TLR). Secondary endpoints included the rates of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), stent thrombosis (ST) and bleeding (BARC) in septuagenarians (≥70 years, <80 years), and in octogenarians (≥80 years) to be compared to the younger patient group (<70 years).Results: A total of 1607 patients were treated with PF-SES in the sub-70-year-old age group, 694 in septuagenarians, and 371 in the octogenarian patient group. At 9 months, the MACE rates were 7.2% in octogenarians, 5.3% in septuagenarians, and 3.0% in the younger patient group (P = 0.001). These were mostly driven by all-cause mortality (4.4% vs 1.9% vs 0.6%, P < 0.001) while the TLR rates were only numerically lower in the younger age group (P = 0.080). BARC 1-5 bleeding events were more frequent in the older age group (1.9% vs 2.7% vs 4.6%, P = 0.012) whereas the rates for ST were not different (0.7% vs 0.6% vs 0.6%, P = 0.970).Conclusions: In octogenarians treated with PF-SES, the rates for MACE, overall mortality, and bleeding are higher as compared to the younger age groups. However, the rates for TLR and ST were not significantly different across the investigated age groups. PF-SES are safe and effective in octogenarians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]