Admission For Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Research Articles

Sex and Ethnic Disparities during COVID-19 Pandemic among Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients

Introduction: The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused a global pandemic that emerged in 2019. During this period, a significant disparity in hospitalization and mortality rates emerged, particularly in terms of Ethnicity and sex. Notably, this study aims to examine the influence of sex and Ethnicity on acute coronary syndrome outcomes, specifically during the global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Methods: This retrospective observational study analyzed adult patients hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome in the United States in 2020. Primary outcomes included inpatient mortality and the time from admission to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Secondary outcomes encompassed the length of stay and hospital costs. The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database was utilized to identify and study patients in our test group. Results: A total of 779,895 patients hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome in the year 2020 and 935,975 patients in 2019 were included in this study. Baseline findings revealed that inpatient mortality was significantly higher in 2020 compared to 2019, regardless of sex and Ethnicity (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.20, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12–1.23, p-value < 0.001). Concerning primary outcomes, there was no difference in inpatient mortality for hospitalized patients of different sexes between 2019 and 2020 (STEMI: aOR 1.05, 95% CI 0.96–1.14, p-value 0.22; NSTEMI/UA aOR 1.08, 95% CI 0.98–1.19, p-value 0.13). Regarding time to admission for PCI, NSTEMI/UA cases were found to be statistically significant in female patients compared to males (mean difference 0.06 days, 95% CI 0.02–0.10, p-value < 0.01) and African Americans compared to Caucasians (mean difference 0.13 days, 95% CI 0.06–0.19, p < 0.001). In terms of the length of stay, female patients had a shorter length of stay compared to males (mean difference −0.22, 95% CI −0.27 to −0.16, p-value < 0.01). Conclusions: As acute coronary syndrome is an urgent diagnosis, a global pandemic has the potential to exacerbate existing healthcare disparities related to sex and Ethnicity. This study did not reveal any difference in inpatient mortality, aligning with studies conducted prior to the pandemic. However, it highlighted significantly longer treatment times (admission to PCI) for NSTEMI/UA management in female and African American populations. These findings suggest that some disparities may have diminished during the pandemic year, warranting further research to confirm these trends in the years to come.

Sex differences in incidence of self-reported adverse drug reactions after percutaneous coronary intervention

Abstract Background Despite experiencing adverse drug reactions (ADRs) more often than men, the proportion of women participating in clinical drug trials is low. Thus, evidence for sex differences in the incidence of ADRs is limited. Aim To determine sex differences in incidence of self-reported ADRs after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Further, to determine whether receiving information about ADRs is associated with sex. Methods CONCARDPCI is a prospective multicentre cohort study (N=3417) conducted at seven referral PCI centres in two Nordic countries. Clinical data were collected from patients’ medical records. Socio-demographic characteristics were obtained by self-report after PCI. Two questions from the Heart Continuity of Care Questionnaire (HCCQ) were used to determine if information about potential ADRs was received before hospital discharge. De novo created questions were used to determine if patients reported ADRs from prescribed therapy. Questionnaires were distributed two- (T1), six- (T2), and twelve months (T3) after hospital discharge to assess the incidence of self-reported ADRs in a longitudinal perspective. Logistic regression was utilised to scrutinize the aims, reported as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results Patients were predominantly male (78%), with a mean age of 65 years (SD 11). Female patients were older (68, SD 10). Acute coronary syndrome was the most frequent cause of admission for PCI (62%). At T1, 2656 of the included patients responded to the questions from the HCCQ. Of these, 1019 patients (39%) reported being informed of potential ADRs from prescribed therapy, 1075 patients (42%) reported not having been informed, 511 patients (20%) reported ‘Hard to decide’, and 51 (2%) reported ‘Not applicable’. Patients reporting ‘Hard to decide’ or ‘Not applicable’ were excluded from further analysis. Women were less likely to receive information than men (OR 0.58, CI 0.45 – 0.75, p<0.001). For the total study population, 42%, 49% and 40% reported ADRs at T1-T3 respectively. After adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical variables, the incidence of self-reported ADRs were significantly higher in women compared to men at T1 (OR 1.71, CI 1.36 – 2.15, p<0.001), T2 (OR 1.89, CI 1.49 – 2.38, p<0.001), and T3 (OR 1.79, CI 1.40 – 2.28, p<0.001). Conclusion Women report significantly more ADRs from prescribed therapy than men after PCI. However, they are less likely to receive information about potential ADRs compared to men. Efforts to improve communication on ADRs and gender equity should be a priority.

Abstract 15107: Dramatic Impact of a Liaison-Mediated Referral Strategy on Cardiac Rehabilitation Participation After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Insights From the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Cardiovascular Consortium

Background: While cardiac rehabilitation (CR) improves outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) it remains underutilized. A liaison-mediated referral, where a healthcare professional explains CR’s benefits and places a referral before discharge, may promote CR use. Hypothesis: We hypothesize a liaison-mediated CR referral is associated with greater CR participation after PCI. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent PCI across 48 hospitals in Michigan between January 2021 and April 2022 and were referred to CR before discharge. Clinical registry data was linked to Medicare and commercial claims to identify the primary outcome of CR participation, defined as attending ≥1 CR session within 90 days of discharge from the index PCI admission. Bayesian hierarchical logistic regression modeling was used to compare CR participation between patients with and without a liaison referral, adjusting for patient characteristics. Cox-proportional hazard modeling was used to compare days elapsed between discharge and first CR session between liaison cohorts. Results: Among 9,023 patients referred to CR after PCI, 4,323 (47.9%) underwent a liaison referral and 3,390 (37.6%) attended ≥1 CR session within 90 days of discharge. The liaison and non-liaison cohorts had a mean age of 69.3 vs 69.4 years, and 68.3% vs 68.4% were male, respectively. The liaison cohort had a higher unadjusted 90-day CR participation rate compared with the non-liaison cohort (Figure). After adjustment, the liaison cohort had a significantly higher odds of attending ≥1 CR session and a shorter delay in attending the first session compared with the non-liaison cohort (28 vs 33 days, p<0.001) (Figure). Conclusion: A liaison-mediated CR referral is associated with higher odds of post-PCI CR participation and may mitigate delays in CR enrollment. This may be an effective referral strategy to improve CR participation rates and patient outcomes after PCI.

Association between inflammation, body mass index, and long-term outcomes in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention: A large cohort study.

Association between inflammation, body mass index, and long-term outcomes in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention: A large cohort study.

Cost to Medicare of acute kidney injury in percutaneous coronary intervention

Acute kidney injury (AKI), including contrast-induced AKI (CI-AKI), is an important complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), resulting in short- and long-term adverse clinical outcomes. While prior research has reported an increased cost burden to hospitals from CI-AKI, the incremental cost to payers remains unknown. Understanding this incremental cost may inform decisions and even policy in the future. The objective of this study was to estimate the short- and long-term cost to Medicare of AKI overall, and specifically CI-AKI, in PCI. Patients undergoing inpatient PCI between January 2017 and June 2020 were selected from Medicare 100% fee-for-service data. Baseline clinical characteristics, PCI lesion/procedural characteristics, and AKI/CI-AKI during the PCI admission, were identified from diagnosis and procedure codes. Poisson regression, generalized linear modelling, and longitudinal mixed effects modelling, in full and propensity-matched cohorts, were used to compare PCI admission length of stay (LOS) and cost (Medicare paid amount inflated to 2022 US$), as well as total costs during 1-year following PCI, between AKI and non-AKI patients. The study cohort included 509,039 patients, of whom 104,033 (20.4%) were diagnosed with AKI and 9,691 (1.9%) with CI-AKI. In the full cohort, AKI was associated with+4.12 (95% confidence interval=4.10, 4.15) days index PCI admission LOS, +$11,313 ($11,093, $11,534) index admission costs, and +$14,800 ($14,359, $15,241) total 1-year costs. CI-AKI was associated with+3.03 (2.97, 3.08) days LOS, +$6,566 ($6,148, $6,984) index admission costs, and +$13,381 ($12,118, $14,644) cumulative 1-year costs (all results are adjusted for baseline characteristics). Results from the propensity-matched analyses were similar. AKI, and specifically CI-AKI, during PCI is associated with significantly longer PCI admission LOS, PCI admission costs, and long-terms costs.

Informing patients about potential adverse drug reactions after percutaneous coronary intervention reduces the occurrence of self-reported adverse drug reactions

Abstract Background Healthcare providers are commonly reluctant to inform patients about potential adverse drug reactions (ADRs) from prescribed therapy to avoid increasing the incidence of ADRs through the nocebo effect. However, patients need information on all aspects of prescribed therapy to facilitate informed decision-making and take ownership of their care. Purpose To describe wether patients received information about potential ADRs from prescribed therapy before hospital discharge after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Furthermore, to determine whether receiving information about ADRs is associated with incidence of self-reported ADRs. Methods CONCARDPCI is a prospective multicentre cohort study including 3417 patients after PCI. The study was conducted between June 2017 and May 2020 at seven large referral PCI centres in Norway and Denmark. Clinical data were collected from patients' medical records. Socio-demographic characteristics were obtained by self-report during index hospitalization after PCI. Two questions from the Heart Continuity of Care Questionnaire were used to determine if information about potential ADRs was received before hospital discharge. De novo created questions were used to determine if patients reported ADRs from prescribed therapy. Questionnaires were distributed two (T1), six (T2), and twelve months (T3) after hospital discharge to assess the incidence of self-reported ADRs in a longitudinal perspective. Logistic regression was utilised to scrutinize the aims, reported as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results Patients were predominantly men (78%), with a mean age of 66 years (SD 11, range 20–96 years), and married or living with a partner (75%). Stable coronary artery disease was the most frequent cause of admission for PCI (30%). Before hospital discharge, 59% were informed of potential ADRs from prescribed therapy and 50% were informed what to do if ADRs occurred. The incidence of self-reported ADRs were significantly lower for those who were informed of potential ADRs compared to those who were not informed at T1 (OR 0.54, CI: 0.45–0.65, p<0.001), T2 (OR 0.56, CI: 0.46–0.70, p<0.001) and T3 (OR 0.51, CI: 0.42–0.67, p<0.001) (Figure 1). After controlling for socio-demographic and clinical variables, the incidence of self-reported ADRs were similar at T1 (OR 0.58, CI: 0.47–0.71, p<0.001), T2 (OR 0.56, CI: 0.46–0.70, p<0.001) and T3 (OR 0.53, CI: 0.42–0.66, p<0.001). Those less likely to receive information about ADRs were living alone (OR 0.75, CI: 0.59–0.97; p=0.029), women (OR 0.58, CI: 0.45–0.75, p<0.001) and those with three or more comorbidities (OR 0.68, CI: 0.47–0.98, p=0.029) compared to their counterparts. Conclusion Our study showed that informing patients about potential ADRs after PCI reduces the occurrence of self-reported ADRs. Information about potential ADRs should be provided regardless of cohabitation status, sex and comorbidities. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public hospital(s). Main funding source(s): Western Norway Health Authority

Health Literacy and Risk Factors for Coronary Artery Disease (From the CONCARDPCI Study)

In the setting of established coronary artery disease (CAD), lower health literacy is associated with poor outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine whether health literacy at the index admission was associated with established CAD risk factors and with changes in CAD risk factors from baseline until 6 months after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A multicenter cohort study recruited 3,417 patients aged ≥18 years who were treated with PCI. Assessments were made at the index admission for PCI and at 6-month follow-up, including 4 of the 9 scales from the Health Literacy Questionnaire, an assessment of behavioral risk factors and psychologic risk factors for CAD. In this large study, key aspects of health literacy were associated with behavioral and psychologic risk factors for CAD. For each 1-unit higher score on the health literacy scales, weekly physical activity was 12 to 20 intensity-adjusted minutes higher, and the odds of being a nonsmoker were 24% to 72% higher. The risk factors for CAD improved from baseline to 6-month follow-up, although most were not significantly associated with health literacy. Still, patients with lower health literacy scores were more likely to report a greater reduction in depression symptoms from baseline to 6-month follow-up. In conclusion, the study provides evidence that several aspects of health literacy are associated with risk factors for CAD. These results serve as a reminder to healthcare teams to consider health literacy challenges in connection with secondary prevention care.

Association between proton pump inhibitors after percutaneous coronary intervention and risk of gastric cancer

BackgroundPrevious studies showing an association between chronic use of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) and gastric cancer are limited by confounding by indication. This relationship has not been studied in patients...

Adverse Events and Hospital-Acquired Conditions Associated With Potential Low-Value Care in Medicare Beneficiaries

There has been insufficient research on the patient harms and costs associated with potential low-value procedures in the US Medicare population. To report the prevalence of adverse events associated with potential low-value procedures and the additional hospital length of stay (LOS) and costs. This is a retrospective cohort study using Medicare fee-for-service claims between January 2016 to December 2018. Participants were aged 65 years or older. Procedures were selected if they had previously published indicators of low-value care, including knee arthroscopy, spinal fusion, vertebroplasty, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), carotid endarterectomy, renal stenting, and hysterectomy for benign conditions. Analysis was conducted from July to December, 2020. For inpatient procedures, the number and rate of admissions with a hospital-acquired condition (HAC) or patient safety indicator event (PSIs), as well as the unadjusted and adjusted difference in mean LOS and Medicare costs between admissions with and without a HAC/PSI. For outpatient procedures, we report the number of claims where the beneficiary had an unplanned hospital admission within seven days and the number of these admissions with a HAC/PSI. There were 573 351 patients included in the study, with 617 264 procedures; the mean (SD) age was 74.2 (6.7) years, with 320 637 women (55.9%), and mostly White patients (520 735; 90.8%). Among the 197 755 claims for the inpatient procedures, 231 had an HAC and 1764 had a PSI. Spinal fusion was associated with the most HACs (123 admissions) and PSIs (1015 admissions). Overall, HACs during a PCI admission were associated with the highest adjusted additional mean LOS (17.5 days; 95% CI, 10.3-23.6), with also the highest adjusted additional mean cost ($22 000; 95% CI, $9100-$32 600). There were 419 509 included outpatient procedures, and 7514 (1.8%) had an unplanned admission within 7 days. A total of 17 HACs and PSIs occurred in these admissions. In this cross-sectional cohort study of Medicare fee-for-service claims, patients receiving potential low-value care were exposed to risk of unnecessary harm associated with higher cost and LOS.

Multicentre cohort study of the impact of percutaneous coronary intervention on patients with concurrent cancer and ischaemic heart disease

BackgroundThe incidence of concurrent cancer and ischaemic heart disease (IHD) is increasing; however, the long-term patient prognoses remain unclear.MethodsFive-year all-cause mortality data pertaining to patients in the Osaka Cancer Registry, who were diagnosed with colorectal, lung, prostate, and gastric cancers between 2010 and 2015, were retrieved and analysed together with linked patient administrative data. Patient characteristics (cancer type, stage, and treatment; coronary risk factors; medications; and time from cancer diagnosis to index admission for percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI] or IHD diagnosis) were adjusted for propensity score matching. Three groups were identified: patients who underwent PCI within 3 years of cancer diagnosis (n = 564, PCI + group), patients diagnosed with IHD within 3 years of cancer diagnosis who did not undergo PCI (n = 3058, PCI-/IHD + group), and patients without IHD (n = 27,392, PCI-/IHD- group). Kaplan–Meier analysis was used for comparisons.ResultsAfter propensity score matching, the PCI + group had better prognosis (n = 489 in both groups, hazard ratio 0.64, 95% confidence interval 0.51–0.81, P < 0.001) than the PCI-/IHD + group. PCI + patients (n = 282) had significantly higher mortality than those without IHD (n = 280 in each group, hazard ratio 2.88, 95% confidence interval 1.90–4.38, P < 0.001).ConclusionsPCI might improve the long-term prognosis in cancer patients with IHD. However, these patients could have significantly worse long-term prognosis than cancer patients without IHD. Since the present study has some limitations, further research will be needed on this important topic in cardio-oncology.

Previous Pre-Eclampsia, Gestational Diabetes and Hypertension Place Women at High Cardiovascular Risk: But Do We Ask?

Women who experience vascular complications of pregnancy, including pre-eclampsia, hypertension and diabetes, are at increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). Yet patients and their medical providers have low awareness of the significance of these 'non-traditional' cardiovascular risk factors. We aimed to determine the prevalence and medical provider awareness of pregnancy-related cardiovascular risk factors in women with CAD. Women aged 18-70 years treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) across three tertiary hospitals were invited to participate in a pregnancy-related telephone interview at 12 months post-PCI. Electronic medical records (EMR) were retrospectively reviewed for documentation of pregnancy-related cardiovascular risk factors in the 12 months prior to, and including, the PCI admission. A total of 102 women (mean age 59.8±7.7 years) underwent PCI for CAD and completed the pregnancy history questionnaire. Approximately three-quarters (73.5%, 75/102) of women had been pregnant, of which 25.3% (19/75) had experienced vascular complications consisting of pre-eclampsia 31.5% (6/19), gestational diabetes 36.8% (7/19), and gestational hypertension 73.6% (14/19). Documentation of traditional CVD risk factors occurred in 209/211 episodes of emergency or cardiology contact (99.1%), while documentation of 'non-traditional' pregnancy-related cardiovascular risk factors occurred in 0/211 episodes of emergency or cardiology contact. More than a quarter of women treated with PCI for CAD had experienced a past pregnancy-related vascular complication. Despite vascular complications of pregnancy predicting future CAD, medical providers were not obtaining a history of these 'non-traditional' cardiovascular risk factors.

Smokeless tobacco, snus, at admission for percutaneous coronary intervention and future risk for cardiac events

ObjectiveTo assess the risk of future death and cardiac events following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients using smokeless tobacco, snus, compared with patients not using snus at admission for...

P6450Smokeless tobacco, snus, at admission for percutaneous coronary intervention and future risk of death

P6450Smokeless tobacco, snus, at admission for percutaneous coronary intervention and future risk of death

Patterns of in-hospital mortality and bleeding complications following PCI for very elderly patients: insights from the Dartmouth Dynamic Registry.

BackgroundVery elderly patients (age ≥ 85 years) are a rapidly increasing segment of the population. As a group, they experience high rates of in-hospital mortality and bleeding complications following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, the relationship between bleeding and mortality in the very elderly is unknown.MethodsRetrospective review was performed on 17,378 consecutive PCI procedures from 2000 to 2015 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. Incidence of bleeding during the index PCI admission (bleeding requiring transfusion, access site hematoma > 5 cm, pseudoaneurysm, and retroperitoneal bleed) and in-hospital mortality were reported for four age groups (< 65 years, 65–74 years, 75–84 years, and ≥ 85 years). The mortality of patients who suffered bleeding complications and those who did not was calculated and multivariate analysis was performed for in-hospital mortality. Lastly, known predictors of bleeding were compared between patients age < 85 years and age ≥ 85 years.ResultsOf 17,378 patients studied, 1019 (5.9%) experienced bleeding and 369 (2.1%) died in-hospital following PCI. Incidence of bleeding and in-hospital mortality increased monotonically with increasing age (mortality: 0.94%, 2.27%, 4.24% and 4.58%; bleeding: 3.96%, 6.62%, 10.68% and 13.99% for ages < 65, 65–74, 75–84 and ≥ 85 years, respectively). On multivariate analysis, bleeding was associated with increased mortality for all age groups except patients age ≥ 85 years [odds ratio (95% CI): age < 65 years, 3.65 (1.99–6.74); age 65–74 years, 2.83 (1.62–4.94); age 75–84 years, 3.86 (2.56–5.82), age ≥ 85 years: 1.39 (0.49–3.95)].ConclusionsBleeding and mortality following PCI increase with increasing age. For the very elderly, despite high rates of bleeding, bleeding is no longer predictive of in-hospital mortality following PCI.

Time‐Trend Analysis on the Framingham Risk Score and Prevalence of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Without Prior History of Coronary Vascular Disease Over the Last 17 Years: A Study From the Mayo Clinic PCI Registry

There is a paucity of data on the temporal trends of cardiovascular risk factors in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We investigated the secular trends of risk profiles of patients undergoing PCI without prior history of cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD risk factors are changed over time. This time-trend analysis from 1994 to 2010 was performed within the Mayo Clinic PCI Registry. Outcome measures were prevalence of CVD risk factors, including the Framingham risk score (FRS), at the time of admission for PCI. During this period, 12,055 patients without a history of CVD (mean age, 65.0 ± 12.4 years, 67% male) underwent PCI at the Mayo Clinic. Age distribution slightly shifted toward older age (P for trend <0.05), but sex did not change over time. Despite a higher prevalence of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes mellitus over time, actual blood pressure and lipid profiles improved (P for trend <0.001). Over time, FRS and 10-year CVD risk improved significantly (7.3 ± 3.2 to 6.5 ± 3.3, P for trend <0.001; and 11.0 to 9.0, P for trend <0.001, respectively). Body mass index, not included in the FRS, increased significantly (29.0 ± 5.2 to 30.1 ± 6.2 kg/m(2) , P for trend <0.001), whereas smoking prevalence did not change. The current study demonstrates that although traditional FRS and its associated predicted 10-year cardiovascular risk declined over time, the prevalence of risk factors increased in patients undergoing PCI. The study suggests the need for a new risk-factor assessment in this patient population.

Causes of Short-Term Readmission After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Rehospitalization within 30 days after an admission for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is common, costly, and a future target for Medicare penalties. Causes of readmission after PCI are largely unknown. To illuminate the causes of PCI readmissions, patients with PCI readmitted within 30 days of discharge between 2007 and 2011 at 2 hospitals were identified, and their medical records were reviewed. Of 9288 PCIs, 9081 (97.8%) were alive at the end of the index hospitalization. Of these, 893 patients (9.8%) were readmitted within 30 days of discharge and included in the analysis. Among readmitted patients, 341 patients (38.1%) were readmitted for evaluation of recurrent chest pain or other symptoms concerning for angina, whereas 59 patients (6.6%) were readmitted for staged PCI without new symptoms. Complications of PCI accounted for 60 readmissions (6.7%). For cases in which chest pain or other symptoms concerning for angina prompted the readmission, 21 patients (6.2%) met criteria for myocardial infarction, and repeat PCI was performed in 54 patients (15.8%). The majority of chest pain patients (288; 84.4%) underwent ≥1 diagnostic imaging test, most commonly coronary angiography, and only 9 (2.6%) underwent target lesion revascularization. After PCI, readmissions within 30 days were seldom related to PCI complications but often for recurrent chest pain. Readmissions with recurrent chest pain infrequently met criteria for myocardial infarction but were associated with high rates of diagnostic testing.

Middle-Term Assessment of Cardiovascular Risk Factor Control in a Prospective Cohort of High-risk Patients Treated by Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Secondary prevention after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is essential to increase event-free survival and consists mainly in risk factor control. We analyzed the secondary prevention of high-risk patients included prospectively in the Sequence Variation in Platelet Aggregation in Response to Clopidogrel and aspirin trial (SPARC). From December 2009 to February 2011 we enrolled 187 consecutive patients who were submitted to PCI with stent implantation and were evaluated in outpatient visits at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months of follow-up for the control of hypertension, dysglycemia, hyperlipidemia and smoking and their respective therapeutic measures. There was a significant increase in the number of patients with controlled hypertension (29%; P = 0.02), who stopped smoking (18%; P = 0.003), and received statins (19%; P < 0.0001) between the index PCI and the first follow-up visit. The risk factor control improvement led to a decrease in the mean Framingham risk score (9.9%; P < 0.0001). During the 12 months follow-up the gains achieved at PCI admission were maintained for all risk factors. An important effect was observed on the index PCI admission with increased prescription of risk factor control drugs and achievement of therapeutic goals. This study identifies a relevant opportunity window for risk factor control at the index admission, when substantial gains are observed and maintained. However, it also shows further efforts are required to expand the benefit of secondary prevention in the middle-term follow-up of patients treated by PCI. Avaliação a Médio Prazo do Controle de Fatores de Risco de Doença Cardiovascular em Coorte Prospectiva de Pacientes de Alto Risco Tratados por Intervenção Coronária Percutânea A prevenção secundária após intervenção coronária percutânea (ICP) é fundamental para melhorar a sobrevida livre de eventos e consiste principalmente no controle de fatores de risco. Analisou-se a prevenção secundária de pacientes de alto risco, incluídos prospectivamente no estudo Sequence Variation in Platelet Aggregation in Response to Clopidogrel and aspirin (SPARC). Foram arrolados 187 pacientes consecutivos entre dezembro de 2009 e fevereiro de 2011, tratados por ICP com stent e avaliados em retornos ambulatoriais de 30 dias, três meses, seis meses, e 12 meses quanto ao controle de hipertensão arterial, disglicemia, dislipidemia e tabagismo, e medidas terapêuticas respectivas. Houve aumento significativo de pacientes com controle pressórico (29%; P = 0,02), que cessaram tabagismo (18%; P = 0,003), e que receberam hipolipemiantes (19%; P < 0,0001) entre a internação para ICP e o primeiro retorno após o procedimento. Esse melhora do controle de fatores de risco refletiu-se em redução do escore de risco de Framingham médio observado no mesmo período (9,9%; P < 0,0001). Durante seguimento de até 12 meses o ganho atingido na internação para ICP se manteve para todos os fatores de risco. Observou-se efeito importante relativamente à internação índice para ICP, com aumento da prescrição de medicamentos para controle de fatores de risco e alcance de metas. Esse estudo identifica relevante janela de oportunidade para priorização do controle de fatores de risco na internação inicial, quando expressivos são observados e mantidos. Mas também explicita que esforços adicionais são necessários para expandir o benefício da prevenção secundária no seguimento a médio prazo de pacientes tratados por ICP.

The Case for Outpatient Coronary Intervention

Over the past 30 years, dramatic improvements have been achieved in the safety of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures, despite the increasing complexity of clinical and anatomic conditions treated. The need for emergent bypass surgery has declined from 8% in 1990 to far less than 1% in the current era, and the rate of vascular complications has declined dramatically as techniques have improved and procedural experience has increased. Given the remarkable current periprocedural safety profile of elective coronary intervention, has the time come for us to consider whether outpatient PCI can be safely performed? In this issue of Circulation , investigators from the Academic Medical Center of the University of Amsterdam investigated this question as part of the Elective PCI in Outpatient Study (EPOS).1 Article p 2299 The study by Heyde and colleagues randomly assigned 800 consecutive, elective, outpatient, planned PCI patients to a strategy of either same-day discharge or routine care that included an overnight observation in the hospital. The patients and providers were blinded to the assignment until after evaluation according to predefined criteria for those patients who required additional observation or treatment. All patients eligible for same-day discharge, regardless of assignment, were then strictly observed for 4 hours and then underwent a rigorous triage evaluation to determine if same-day discharge would be appropriate. At that time, those patients who were randomized to the same-day discharge group were discharged, whereas the patients randomized to the overnight hospitalization group were kept in-hospital for observation. The investigators found that 20% of patients in both disposition arms developed one of the predefined exclusions for same-day discharge. Of the ≈80% of patients suitable for same-day discharge, none suffered a cardiac event within 24 hours after PCI, and only 3 patients suffered a vascular complication, with no differences observed in the 2 …