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Abstract: Aims: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with worse outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). How CKD influences the benefit-risk balance of drug-eluting stents (DES) versus bare-metal stents (BMS) is less known. Methods and results: In the multicentre BASKET-PROVE trial, 2314 patients in need of large coronary stenting (≥3.0mm) were randomised 2:1 to DES or BMS. In an a priori planned secondary analysis, outcomes were evaluated according to renal function defined by estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR; normal: eGFR≥60ml/min/1.73m2; CKD: eGFR<60ml/min/1.73m2). The primary endpoint was the first major adverse cardiac event (MACE: cardiac death, myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularisation) up to 2years. A Cox proportional-hazard model was used to evaluate adjusted relative risks (hazard rates, HRs) for BMS versus DES. The interaction of stent type and renal function was tested. CKD patients (189 (11.2%)/1681 with such data) had a 2-year MACE rate of 8.5% versus 7.4% in those without CKD [HR 0.98 (0.56–1.72), p=0.95] with cardiac mortalities of 5.3% and 1.5%, respectively (p=0.002, non-significant after baseline adjustments). The MACE rate was lower in CKD patients with DES than with BMS [4.9% versus 15.2%, p=0.017, HR 0.29(0.10–0.80)] as was the MACE rate in patients without CKD [5.6% with DES versus 11.1% with BMS, p<0.0001, HR 0.51(0.35–0.75)]. No significant interaction between stent type and renal function was found. Conclusions: This analysis of patients needing large coronary artery stenting confirms the increased mortality of CKD patients and documents a long-term benefit of DES compared to BMS irrespective of kidney function. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This article presents a clinical trial on the effects of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in silent ischemia after myocardial infarction (MI). The objective of the study was to determine if PCI, compared with drug therapy, improves long-term outcome of asymptomatic patients with silent ischemia after an MI. The conclusion of the trial was that among patients with recent MI, silent myocardial ischemia verified by stress imaging, and 1-or 2-vessel coronary arteries disease, PCI compared with anti-ischemic drug therapy reduced the long-term risk of major cardiac events.

Aims Evaluation of predictors of silent coronary artery disease (SCAD) in high-risk asymptomatic diabetic patients and to evaluate their two-year outcome. Methods and results Four hundred diabetic patients without prior CAD but at high CAD risk underwent myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) in this prospective multicentre outcome trial. MPS were abnormal in 22% of patients. Male sex (OR 2.223, 1.152–4.290; p = 0.017), diabetes duration (OR 1.049,1.015–1.085; p = 0·005), peripheral artery disease (OR 2.134, 1·150–3.961; p = 0.016), smoking (OR 2.064, 1.109–3.839; p = 0·022), systolic blood pressure (OR 1.014, 1.00–1.03, p = 0·056), brain natriuretic peptide (OR 1.002, 1.001–1.004, p = 0·005) independently predicted an abnormal MPS: if < 2 and > 3 predictors were present, 3.2% and 47% patients had an abnormal MPS, respectively (p < 0·001). Two-year major adverse cardiac event rates increased from 2·9% to 14·6%, cardiac death rates from 0·6% to 4·1% in patients with summed stress scores ≤ 10 and > 10%, respectively (each p < 0.045). Conclusions Male sex, diabetes duration, peripheral artery disease, smoking, elevated systolic blood pressure and increased brain-natriuretic peptides independently predicted SCAD. In presence of > 3 predictors, almost 50% of patients had an abnormal MPS. They may benefit from screening by MPS since the extent of the MPS abnormality discriminated clearly between a favourable compared to a bad 2-year outcome. However, even highest risk patients without objective evidence of CAD had a benign prognosis without need for specific evaluation or therapy. Trial Registration Number: ISRCTN87953632. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: The incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in totally asymptomatic patients with myocardial ischemia during stress testing is unknown. Methods: 54 patients with asymptomatic myocardial ischemia participated in the Swiss Interventional Study on Silent Ischemia type I (SWISSI I). Asymptomatic myocardial ischemia was verified by bicycle ergometry and stress imaging (echocardiography or scintigraphy). Findings from coronary angiographies in the course of the study constituted the main outcome. Results: Of the 54 study participants, 29 patients (53.7%) underwent coronary angiography. CAD was found in 27 of 29 patients (93.1%). In those 27 patients with CAD, 9 patients (33.3%) suffered from single vessel disease, 9 patients (33.3%) from two vessel disease, and 9 patients (33.3%) from triple vessel disease. Two patients showed left main coronary artery stenosis. Conclusion: This study shows a high incidence of relevant CAD among totally asymptomatic patients with myocardial ischemia during stress testing. Previously healthy subjects with exercise-induced ST-segment depression at check-up examinations, even if asymptomatic, should have further diagnostic evaluation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This article presents the results of an 18 month study on the cost-effectiveness of drug-eluting stents in patients at high or low risk of major cardiac events. To assess the value of these medical devices, the authors looked at cost of the procedure and the rate of follow-up events which were usually vessel revascularisations avoided by placement of the stents. The study found that overall costs were higher for patients with drug-eluting stents over those with bare metal stents due to the higher price of the drug-eluting stent. If used in all patients, the drug-eluting stents would not be good value for the money. They are cost effective in patients who need small vessel or bypass graft stenting but not in those who need larger vessel stenting.