Revascularization strategies versus optimal medical therapy in chronic coronary syndrome: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Abstract

Abstract Background Whether revascularization reduces ischemic events and improves prognosis in patients with chronic coronary artery syndrome (CCS) without left main (LM) disease or reduced left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) remains a topic of debate. Nevertheless, the impact of revascularization on outcomes in patients with CCS may be influenced by the revascularization strategy adopted. Purpose We aimed at evaluating the comparative effects of different revascularization strategies in patients with CCS. Methods A total of 18 randomized controlled trials including angiography-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), physiology-guided PCI and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), were included. Effect estimates included direct comparisons for all treatments and direct and indirect evidence were in agreement for all included outcomes, fulfilling the consistency assumption. Incidence rate ratios (IRR) and associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to adjust outcomes according to follow-up durations. Medical therapy was used as reference strategy. Results Compared with medical therapy, at a mean follow-up of 5.1 years, all revascularization strategies were associated with a reduction of the primary endpoint, as defined in each trial, the extent of which was modest with angiography-guided PCI (IRR 0.86, 95% CI 0.75–0.99) and greater with physiology-guided PCI (IRR 0.60, 95% CI 0.47–0.77) and CABG (IRR 0.58, 95% CI 0.48–0.70). Moreover, angiography-guided PCI was associated with increased primary endpoint compared to physiology-guided PCI (IRR 1.43, 95% CI 1.14–1.79) and CABG (IRR 1.49, 95% CI 1.27–1.74). CABG was the only strategy associated with reduced myocardial infarction (IRR 0.68, 95% CI 0.52–0.90), cardiovascular death (IRR 0.76, 95% CI 0.64–0.89), and all-cause death (IRR 0.87, 95% CI 0.77–0.99), but increased stroke (IRR 1.69, 95% CI 1.04–2.76). Results were consistent at secondary analysis exploring the impact on outcomes of baseline characteristics, such as 3-vessel disease, diabetes mellitus, year of publication or stents used. Conclusions In CCS patients without LM disease or reduced LVEF, physiology-guided PCI and CABG were associated with better outcomes than angiography-guided PCI. Compared with medical therapy, CABG was the only revascularization strategy associated with a reduction of myocardial infarction and death rates, at the cost of higher risk of stroke. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.