Complex Coronary Artery Disease Research Articles

Comparison of Octogenarians and Septuagenarians Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Aims: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the recommended treatment for severe three-vessel or left main with complex coronary artery disease. As the population ages, a greater proportion of CABG patients are elderly, but their outcomes are not well established. We reviewed the results of elderly patients over 70 years old undergoing CABG at our centre. Methods: Elderly patients undergoing isolated CABG at Auckland City Hospital during July 2010-June 2012 were divided into septuagenarian 70-79 years old and octogenarians 80+ years old groups, comparing their characteristics and outcomes. Results: There were 45 octogenarians and 219 septuagenarians studied, mean age 82.3 vs 74.4 years P < 0.001. Octogenarians had lower weight 73.2 vs 78.0kg P = 0.033, prevalence of Maori or Pacific ethnicity 2.2 vs 16.4% P = 0.009, and creatinine clearance 54 vs 68mL/min P = 0.001 respectively. They also had higher STS Score 8.2% vs 5.6% P < 0.001 but similar EuroSCORE II P = 0.607. Despite this, there were no differences in operative (2.2 vs 2.3%, P = 1.00) and medium-term mortality (1-year survival 97.8% vs 96.7%, P = 0.633) and post-operative complications (all P > 0.30). In multivariable analyses, Maori or Pacific ethnicity was independently associated with higher operative and long-term mortality, while impaired ejection fraction <50% predicted composite morbidity (P < 0.05). Both risk scores did not predict operative mortality (c-statistic 0.49-0.50). Conclusion: CABG remains a safe procedure in selected elderly patients, and age alone should not exclude patients from cardiac surgery. Conventional risk scores had poor prognostic utility, so other parameters such as frailty should be accounted for in decision-making for intervention.

Correlation between SYNTAX Score and Pattern of Risk Factors in Patients Referred for Coronary Angiography in Cardiology Department, Menoufia University

Objectives: The role of SYNTAX (SX) score in assessing the complexity of coronary artery disease (CAD) is well established. In this study we investigate the relationship between conventional risk factors of CAD with its complexity using SX score. Methods: The study consisted of 52 patients with CAD who were admitted to Cardiology Department—Menoufia University Hospitals for elective coronary angiography. The overall SX score was calculated prospectively using the SX score algorithm. Then comparison was done between populations with and without each risk factor. Results: There was a statistically significant correlation between age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and smoking with SX score results (p 0.05). In a multivariate regression analysis, including conventional risk factors of CAD as independent covariates, it revealed that aging, having diabetes mellitus and smoking were identified as significant independent risk factors for CAD complexity. Conclusion: Advanced age, having diabetes mellitus and cigarette smoking are considered to be independent risk factors for the complexity of CAD. Therefore, when these factors present, we expect that the SX score of the patient to be high indicating a complex CAD.

FFRCT for Complex Coronary Artery Disease Treatment Planning: New Opportunities.

Coronary computed tomography (CT) is well established for the assessment of symptomatic patients with suspected but not yet confirmed coronary artery disease with high diagnostic accuracy and risk prediction. Until recently, coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) has played a limited role in the management of complex coronary artery disease (CAD) and in planning revascularisation strategies. With the advent of FFRCT, enabling anatomy and physiology with a single study and the ability to adjudicate lesion specific pressure loss, the potential of combined coronary CT angiography (CCTA) and fractional flow reserve (FFR) computed from non-invasive CT angiography (FFRCT) to inform treatment decision-making and help guide revascularisation has been recognised. In this review, we highlight the evolving role of FFRCT in the management of complex CAD; the opportunities, the data and the unanswered questions.

Mechanical Circulatory Support in High-Risk Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Due to advancing age and increasing comorbidities, the current population has a higher incidence of complex coronary artery disease, often without surgical options for revascularization. In this setting, hemodynamic support devices are an important adjunct in the interventionist's toolbox as they allow for a safer, more effective procedure. The following paper reviews the indications of various available mechanical support devices, highlights their clinical data and technical parameters, and offers a practical approach towards appropriate patient and device selection.

نسبة عدم التوافق بين درجة السنتاكس ٢ والقرار السريري لاختصاصي القلبية والذي يمثل دليل لاختيار طريقة عودة التوعي لامراض شرايين القلب القلبية التاجية المعقدة

لمقدمة:درجة السنتاكس ٢ تعد طريقة ارشادية لاختيار طريقة العلاج في المرضى اللذين يعانون من امراض شرايين القلب التاجية المعقدة مع او بدون امراض الشريان الايسر الرئيسي غير المحمي.الهدف: لتقييم نسبة عدم التوافق بين القرار السريري لاختصاصي القلبية وتوصيات درجة السنتاكس ٢ بالنسبة لخطة العلاج في المرضى المصابين بآمراض شرايين القلب التاجية المعقدة مع او بدون امراض الشريان الايسر الرئيسي غير المحمي. طرائق البحث: يتم جمع معلومات المرضى اللذين يخضعون لاجراء القسطرة التشخيصية لشرايين القلب في صالات القسطرة في مدينة الطب وتتم متابعة المرضى ايضا وتكون مدة الدراسة للفترة من شهر كانون الثاني لسنة ٢٠١٤م الى شهر تشرين الثاني لسنة ٢٠١٥م وخلال هذه الفترة يتم تقييم المرضى عن طريق درجة السنتاكس ٢ وست متغيرات سريرية للتنبؤ بآحتمالية حدوث الوفاة خلال الاربع سنوات بعد عودة التوعي ومقارنتها مع القرار السريري لاختصاصي القلبية. ثم بعد مرور سنة على جمع الداتا، نقوم بمتابعة حالة المرضى عن طريق الاتصال الهاتفي لمعرفة إذا حدثت حالات الوفاة. يتم تقسيم المرضى الى ٣ مجاميع، المجموعة الاولى والتي تخضع للتداخل القسطاري، المجموعة الثانية والتي تخضع لعملية جراحية لزرع شرايين القلب، والمجموعة الثالثة والتي لديها احتمالية للخضوع للقسطرة او للعملية الجراحية. النتائج: تم اشراك مئتا مريض في الدراسة، معدل العمر ٦٠.٢٣ ± ٩.٨٣٦سنة، ١٥٧ (٧٨.٥٪) من المرضى ذكور. بالاعتماد على القرار السريري لاختصاصي القلبية تم تحديد ٧١ (٣٥.٥٪) من المرضى للخضوع للتداخل القسطاري (المجموعة الاولى)، ١١٩ (٥٩.٥٪) من المرضى تم ارسالهم لاجراء عملية جراحية (المجموعة الثانية) وبقية المرضى ١٠ (٥٪) تم ادراجهم تحت احتمالية خضوعهم للتداخل القسطاري او العملية الجراحية. بالنسبة لتققيم حالة الوفاة للاربع سنوات بالاعتماد على درجة السنتاكس ٢، كانت النتيجة ان العلاج المفضل هو العمليات الجراحية وبنسبة ٣٣.٥٪، في حين ان نسبة المرضى الخاضعين للتداخل القسطاري كانت ١٥٪، وكانت النسبة متوازية بالنسبة للمرضى الخاضعين للعمليات الجراحية او التداخل القسطاري ٥١.٥٪. كان هنالك توافق بين القرار السريري لاختصاصي القلبية ودرجة السنتاكس ٢ وبنسبة ٣٣.٥٪، في حين ان نسبة عدم التوافق للمرضى كانت ٦٦.٥٪. خلال سنة واحدة توفي ستة مرضى ومعضمهم كانوا من مجموعة عدم التوافق. الاستنتاج: هذه الدراسة اظهرت عدم توافق هام بين توصيات درجة السنتاكس ٢ والقرار السريري لاختصاصي القلبية.مفتاح الكلمات: درجة السنتاكس ٢، امراض شرايين القلب التاجية المعقدة، عودة التوعي

Balance between angiogenic and anti-angiogenic isoforms of VEGF-A is associated with the complexity and severity of coronary artery disease

IntroductionAssessing the complexity of coronary artery disease (CAD) is clinically important. Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) is a powerful and the most important regulator of angiogenesis. It has been reported that the anti-angiogenic isoform of VEGF-A (VEGF-A165b) inhibits angiogenesis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the complexities of CAD using the Syntax score (SS) and the levels of circulating total VEGF-A or VEGF-A165b. MethodsA total of 268 patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were enrolled. Of these, 73 patients without acute coronary syndrome or previous revascularization were included in this study. These subjects were divided into two groups according to the SS. Circulating total VEGF-A and VEGF-A165b levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. ResultsCirculating levels of total VEGF-A were significantly higher in the SS>22 (high SS) group than in the SS≤22 (low SS) group (p=0.018). Moreover, the ratio of VEGF-A165b to total VEGF-A was significantly lower for the high SS group (p=0.004). The levels of total VEGF-A independently predicted high SS after adjusting for other significant variables among patients who underwent PCI (odds ratio, 1.004; 95% CI, 1.001 to 1.006; p=0.01). ConclusionsThese data indicated that high SS was associated with circulating levels of total VEGF-A and the ratio of VEGF-A165b to total VEGF-A in patients with complex CAD.

Monocyte gene expression in childhood obesity is associated with obesity and complexity of atherosclerosis in adults

Childhood obesity coincides with increased numbers of circulating classical CD14++CD16- and intermediate CD14++CD16+ monocytes. Monocytes are key players in the development and exacerbation of atherosclerosis, which prompts the question as to whether the monocytosis in childhood obesity contributes to atherogenesis over the years. Here, we dissected the monocyte gene expression profile in childhood obesity using an Illumina microarray platform on sorted monocytes of 35 obese children and 16 lean controls. Obese children displayed a distinctive monocyte gene expression profile compared to lean controls. Upon validation with quantitative PCR, we studied the association of the top 5 differentially regulated monocyte genes in childhood obesity with obesity and complexity of coronary atherosclerosis (SYNTAX score) in a cohort of 351 adults at risk for ischemic cardiovascular disease. The downregulation of monocyte IMPDH2 and TMEM134 in childhood obesity was also observed in obese adults. Moreover, downregulation of monocyte TMEM134 was associated with a higher SYNTAX atherosclerosis score in adults. In conclusion, childhood obesity entails monocyte gene expression alterations associated with obesity and enhanced complexity of coronary atherosclerosis in adults.

Coronary artery bypass grafting versus percutaneous coronary intervention in complex coronary artery disease: looking beyond clinical end-points

The choice of optimal revascularization techniques for complex coronary artery disease (CAD), either unprotected left main (UPLM) or multi-vessel disease (MVD), has been a matter of debate for the last two decades. Initially, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) demonstrated a significant mortality benefit of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) over medical therapy in patients with complex CAD (1). However, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with balloon angioplasty alone or bare metal stent (BMS) was limited by higher rates of adverse events due to restenosis when compared to CABG (2). Since then, PCI has evolved in both stent technology and delivery techniques, and drug eluting stents (DES) have been shown to decrease risk of revascularization compared with BMS (3). Therefore, further research has focused on comparing PCI using DES versus CABG for patients with complex CAD.

Invited Commentary

Invited Commentary

Assessment of long-term mortality in patients with complex coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous intervention: comparison of multiple anatomical and clinical prognostic risk scores.

Three-vessel and left main coronary artery disease (CAD) have important prognostic implications. Consequently, numerous risk scores have been developed to stratify patients with complex CAD. The aim of the present study was to compare the predictive performance of six risk scores for occurrence of fouryear all-cause mortality. From March 2008 to December 2012, 348 consecutive patients with complex CAD undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in a tertiary centre in São Paulo, Brazil, were analysed. Four-year mortality was assessed. The scores compared were: baseline SYNTAX score (SS), residual SYNTAX score (rSS), ACEF score, clinical SYNTAX score (cSS), SYNTAX revascularisation index (SRI) and SYNTAX score II (SSII). SSII had the best predictive performance, AUC 0.82, Brier score 0.10, surpassing all the other scores for long-term mortality prediction. Moreover, SSII discriminated well PCI patients in risk groups with p<0.01 for four-year all-cause mortality. The ACEF score (AUC 0.77) and the cSS (AUC 0.78) were significantly better than the SS (AUC 0.65), SRI (AUC 0.60) or the rSS (AUC 0.55). For patients with complex CAD treated by PCI, the combination of baseline clinical and angiographic factors provided better risk assessment. The SSII demonstrated the most precise predictive performance for long-term mortality.

Novel combined index of cardiometabolic risk related to periarterial fat improves the clinical prediction for coronary artery disease complexity

Background and aimsCardiovascular (CV) risk assessment based on conventional risk factors has a limited performance in the prediction of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). Therefore, our aim was to provide a complete assessment on the associations between single or combined cardiovascular ultrasound indexes and the complexity of CAD in high and very-high risk patients. MethodsTwo hundred fifteen patients scheduled for elective coronary angiography were enrolled in the study (F/M: 80/135 pts; age: 61.8 ± 7.9 years). Detailed clinical characteristics, including several obesity parameters, and the following ultrasound indexes were obtained: carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and extra-media thickness (EMT), epicardial fat thickness (EFT) and intra-abdominal fat thickness (IAT). CAD severity and complexity were assessed based on the well-evidenced SYNTAX score (SS) algorithm. ResultsThe study patients (79% with a very high CV risk) had central obesity (77%), and arterial hypertension (81%), one-third (37%) had diabetes and most of the individuals (74%) were current or previous smokers. In the study group, male sex, higher number of CV risk factors, diabetes and increased carotid vascular indexes (IMT or EMT ≥ 900 μm) were associated with significantly higher SS (p < 0.05). Paradoxically, obese patients revealed a significantly lower SS compared to non-obese individuals (3.65 ± 6.66 vs. 5.93 ± 8.8; p < 0.01), which was not explained by the number of CV risk factors or age. All the ultrasound indexes (except for visceral fat – IAT) revealed significant associations with the SS and the highest correlation coefficient was found for PATIMA combined index (r = 0.45; p < 0.01). Hence, none of the obesity-related clinical indexes showed any associations with CAD complexity. Multivariate regression analysis showed that male sex, chronic kidney disease and the PATIMA index were independently associated with the Syntax Score. The ROC analysis showed that the highest sensitivity (71% and 82%) and specificity (77% and 72%) in prediction of either SS > 1 or SS > 7 were found for the combined PATIMA index (negative predictive value = 92% for SS > 7). ConclusionsWe present the first study showing that a combination of ultrasound indexes related to periarterial fat and vascular wall (PATIMA index) is associated with more complex CAD in high and very-high risk patients. PATIMA index revealed improved predictive value compared to other single ultrasound indexes and clinical risk assessment.

SYNTAX score based on coronary computed tomography angiography may have a prognostic value in patients with complex coronary artery disease: An observational study from a retrospective cohort.

The SYNergy between percutaneous coronary intervention with TAXus and cardiac surgery (SYNTAX) score is an invasive coronary angiography (ICA)-based score for quantifying the complexity of coronary artery disease (CAD). Although the SYNTAX score was originally developed based on ICA, recent publications have reported that coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is a feasible modality for the estimation of the SYNTAX score.The aim of our study was to investigate the prognostic value of the SYNTAX score, based on CCTA for the prediction of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) in patients with complex CAD.The current study was approved by the institutional review board of our institution, and informed consent was waived for this retrospective cohort study. We included 251 patients (173 men, mean age 66.0 ± 9.29 years) who had complex CAD [3-vessel disease or left main (LM) disease] on CCTA. SYNTAX score was obtained on the basis of CCTA. Follow-up clinical outcome data regarding composite MACCEs were also obtained. Cox proportional hazards models were developed to predict the risk of MACCEs based on clinical variables, treatment, and computed tomography (CT)-SYNTAX scores.During the median follow-up period of 1517 days, there were 48 MACCEs. Univariate Cox hazards models demonstrated that MACCEs were associated with advanced age, low body mass index (BMI), and dyslipidemia (P < .2). In patients with LM disease, MACCEs were associated with a higher SYNTAX score. In patients with CT-SYNTAX score ≥23, patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention had significantly lower hazard ratios than patients who were treated with medication alone. In multivariate Cox hazards model, advanced age, low BMI, and higher SYNTAX score showed an increased hazard ratio for MACCE, while treatment with CABG showed a lower hazard ratio (P < .2).On the basis of our results, CT-SYNTAX score can be a useful method for noninvasively predicting MACCEs in patients with complex CAD, especially in patients with LM disease.

The coronary heart team.

The concept of a Coronary Heart Team has generated increased interest, including support from major practice guidelines. Here, we review the rationale and the published experience of Coronary Heart Teams. A Coronary Heart Team should be led by both cardiology and cardiac surgery with a shared decision-making approach. The team should incorporate data from anatomic and clinical risk prediction models to offer individualized care. Most teams focus on management of complex patients and those with indications for both coronary artery bypass graft and percutaneous coronary intervention. The potential benefits of a Coronary Heart Team include balanced decision-making, greater adherence to evidence-based practice guidelines, as well as promoting greater collegiality and exchange of knowledge between specialties. Single-center series have demonstrated consistency in decision-making by Coronary Heart Teams but prospective data demonstrating improved patient outcomes and/or cost effectiveness are necessary. The concept of a Coronary Heart Team is gaining traction for patients with complex coronary artery disease. There is a growing literature in support of Coronary Heart Teams but comparative and prospective data demonstrating improved patient outcomes are needed.

The diagnostic criteria of perioperative myocardial infarction in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting and analysis of related factors

Objective To explore the related factors and diagnostic criteria of perioperative myocardial infarction (PMI) after on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG). Methods 258 CABG patients were selected.The cardiac troponin-I in immediately, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours after surgery were measured.95 percentile (P95) was used as the boundary, any measured value greater than P95 was identified PMI, as group I(13 cases), the rest as group II(245 cases). The age, sex, cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic corss-clamp time, LV ejection fraction, left ventricular end diastolic diameter, grafted vessels, left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion, recent myocardial infarction (<3 months), severe complex coronary artery disease and other risk factors that may lead to PMI were analyzed.The data were analyzed using Student's test for continuous variables and the χ2 test for discontinuous variables. Results P95 value was 3.47, the cardiopulmonary bypass time(t=3.268, P<0.05), aortic corss-clamp time(t=2.047, P<0.05), severe complex coronary artery disease between the two groups had statistically significant difference (χ2=19.846, P<0.05). Conclusion cTnI>P95 (3.47) indicates that the myocardium injury is serious, cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic corss-clamp time and severe complex coronary artery disease are associated with PMI in patients undergoing CABG. Key words: Coronary artery bypass graft; Cardiac troponin-I; Coronary artery disease; Myocardic infarction

Is there a role for ischaemic conditioning in cardiac surgery?

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is the revascularisation strategy of choice in patients with diabetes mellitus and complex CAD. Owing to a number of factors, including the ageing population, the increased complexity of CAD being treated, concomitant valve and aortic surgery, and multiple comorbidities, higher-risk patients are being operated on, the result of which is an increased risk of sustaining perioperative myocardial injury (PMI) and poorer clinical outcomes. As such, new treatment strategies are required to protect the heart against PMI and improve clinical outcomes following cardiac surgery. In this regard, the heart can be endogenously protected from PMI by subjecting the myocardium to one or more brief cycles of ischaemia and reperfusion, a strategy called “ischaemic conditioning”. However, this requires an intervention applied directly to the heart, which may be challenging to apply in the clinical setting. In this regard, the strategy of remote ischaemic conditioning (RIC) may be more attractive, as it allows the endogenous cardioprotective strategy to be applied away from the heart to the arm or leg by simply inflating and deflating a cuff on the upper arm or thigh to induce one or more brief cycles of ischaemia and reperfusion (termed “limb RIC”). Although a number of small clinical studies have demonstrated less PMI with limb RIC following cardiac surgery, three recently published large multicentre randomised clinical trials found no beneficial effects on short-term or long-term clinical outcomes, questioning the role of limb RIC in the setting of cardiac surgery. In this article, we review ischaemic conditioning as a therapeutic strategy for endogenous cardioprotection in patients undergoing cardiac surgery and discuss the potential reasons for the failure of limb RIC to improve clinical outcomes in this setting. Crucially, limb RIC still has the therapeutic potential to protect the heart in other clinical settings, such as acute myocardial infarction, and it may also protect other organs against acute ischaemia/reperfusion injury (such as the brain, kidney, and liver).

The association of the Syntax score II with carotid intima media thickness and epicardial fat tissue

AimSyntax score II (SSII) is a highly predictive scoring system, which is used to improve individualized assessment of patients with complex coronary artery disease and facilitates clinical decision making. Surrogate markers [carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), epicardial fat tissue (EFT)] are also used for risk assessment, but their relation with SSII is not well established. MethodWe enrolled 543 consecutive patients, who underwent coronary angiography for stable angina pectoris and acute coronary syndrome, in the study. SSII was calculated for each patient and the patients were divided into two groups as low SSII group and high SSII group according to their median SSII. ResultsThe average age of the patients was 61.4 years and 75% of the patients were male. The multivariate analysis indicated that only EFT (p: 0,035), CIMT (p:0,04) and Hypertension (HT) (p: 0,014) were independently associated with high SSII. DiscussionEFT and CIMT, the surrogate markers which can be simply and non-invasively determined, are of the independent predictors of high SSII. The inclusion of these parameters in the risk classification may provide additional clinical benefit.

Integration of non-invasive functional assessments with anatomical risk stratification in complex coronary artery disease: the non-invasive functional SYNTAX score.

Since the early days of coronary angiography, the extension and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) have been used for risk stratification. The SYNTAX score objectively characterizes CAD in patients with multivessel disease. Furthermore, recalculating the SYNTAX score by the incorporation of the functional component coronary stenosis (i.e., FFR) increases the discrimination for the risk of adverse events. The calculation of the SYNTAX score derived from non-invasive modalities such as coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) has emerged as a mean to obtain the SYNTAX score before invasive cardiac catheterization. Likewise, the computation of the non-invasive fractional flow reserve CT (FFRCT) allows for the calculation of the non-invasive functional SYNTAX score. Ultimately, the combination of anatomical and functional evaluations with clinical factors further refines the identification of patients at risk and provides a recommendation for the Heart Team regarding the treatment strategy (i.e., PCI or CABG) based on the predicted 4-year mortality. The purpose of this review is to describe the integration of a novel non-invasive functional coronary assessment with the angiographic risk score in patients with multivessel CAD.

Risk factors for Complex and Severe Coronary Artery Disease in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is often associated with severe Coronary artery disease (CAD). Since patients with higher risk of severe disease are likely to get better benefit from aggressive management, it is essential to identify factors which are associated with severe macrovascular disease. We looked at the possibility of hyperinsulinemia being a marker for severe and complex coronary artery disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus, to select patients who would benefit from aggressive treatment. Methods: A cross sectional study of 290 type 2 diabetic patients, who underwent coronary angiogram for the evaluation of clinically suspected CAD at a tertiary care hospital were recruited. Biochemical and anthropometric parameters were analysed. Insulin resistance was measured by homeostasis model assessment method. Angiographically measured syntax score of more than 22 is considered to be severe and complex CAD. Receiver operating curve characteristic was performed to find out the optimal cut-off value for insulin resistance and fasting insulin. Predictors of syntax score greater than 22 were identified by multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: An insulin level > 20 μIU/ml (OR: 6.86, 95% CI: 2.25-20.88) emerged as an independent predictor of severe and complex CAD. The optimal cut-off of insulin for predicting severe CAD was 20 with sensitivity and specificity of 80% (95% CI: 0.68 - 0.88) and 79% (95% CI: 0.73 - 0.83) respectively. Conclusion: Hyperinsulinemia could serve as a marker to identify severe and complex CAD in type 2 diabetes at an earlier stage of diabetes. Key words: Coronary Artery Disease, Hyperinsulinemia, Insulin resistance, Syntax score, Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

A hybrid strategy with bioresorbable vascular scaffolds and drug eluting stents for treating complex coronary lesions.

Due to the inherent limitations of current generation BVSs, complex coronary artery disease often contains BVS unsuitable segments. Our aim was to assess the feasibility of a hybrid approach using bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVSs) and drug-eluting stents (DESs) for the treatment of complex coronary artery lesions not suitable for a scaffolding only approach. A retrospective multicenter cohort analysis was performed on patients with complex de novo or in-stent restenosis lesions treated with a hybrid BVS (Absorb BVS, Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, CA) and DES strategy. The primary endpoint was target lesion failure (TLF) defined as a composite of cardiac death, target-vessel myocardial infarction (MI) and target lesion revascularization (TLR). A total of 98 patients (105 lesions) were treated with the hybrid strategy. Isolated long lesions in which either proximal or distal reference vessel diameters were not suitable for BVS were an indication in 36.2% (n=38) of cases. In contrast, 28% (n=29) of lesions treated with the hybrid strategy were bifurcations in which the side branch was predominantly treated with DES (n=28). DES bailout after BVS implantation was an indication in 21.9% (n=23 lesions). The rates of type B2/C and long lesions (>28mm) were 95.2% and 74.3% respectively. The mean total BVS and DES lengths implanted were 37.5±24.1mm and 25.0±14.7mm respectively. The rate of TLF in the overall cohort of patients (median follow-up 405days [interquartile range 189-658]) was 11.4% at 1-year. This was primarily driven by TLR (9.5%), with rates of cardiac death and target vessel MI of 2.1% and 1.4% respectively. No cases of definite or probable BVS/DES thrombosis occurred. In conclusion, the use of a hybrid BVS/DES strategy was feasible and associated with acceptable outcomes at 1-year, considering the length and complexity of lesions treated. Further, larger studies with longer follow-up are needed to confirm our findings.

Characteristics and outcomes of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention within 1 year of coronary artery bypass graft surgery

The aim of this study was to examine the clinical and procedural outcomes of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) within 1 year of coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). CABG is the preferred revascularization strategy for patients with complex coronary artery disease due to a lower rate of repeat revascularization. Despite advances in surgical technique and medical therapy, >5% of patients require repeat revascularization within 1 year of CABG. Patients who underwent PCI within 1 year of CABG were identified from a prospective registry with data on over 20,000 PCI procedures (April 2000-June 2011). 203 post-CABG patients underwent 228 PCI procedures on 390 lesions during this period. 45% of patients had elective PCI while 55% had PCI on an urgent basis. 81% of PCI was performed in native coronary arteries, usually following graft failure in a previously grafted vessel (60%) or in an ungrafted native vessel (21%). Patients who required PCI within 1 year of CABG were more likely to present on an urgent basis and have PCI performed in grafted native coronary vessels. However, nearly third of the patients had PCI to an ungrafted native vessel or to a lesion in the native vessel where the graft was still patent. Further studies are needed to determine whether the use of hybrid revascularization strategies (combination CABG and planned PCI) in appropriate patients could reduce the need for urgent PCI within the first year after CABG. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.