Saphenous Vein Graft Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Research Articles

Filter no-reflow during percutaneous coronary intervention of saphenous vein grafts: incidence, predictors and effect of the type of protection device

To assess the main predictors and significance of filter no-reflow (FNR) in protected saphenous vein graft (SVG) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and the effect of two different filter-based devices on FNR incidence. The phenomenon of FNR has been described as a transient impairment of blood flow due to debris plugging of a filter-based device used to shield the distal microvasculature during SVG PCI. Fifty consecutive patients treated with SVG PCI were enrolled, using two different filter-based devices (FilterWire EZ™ [Boston Scientific, Natick, MA, USA] and SpiderRX® [Ev3, Plymouth, MN, USA]). We evaluated: 1) the value of clinical and angiographic variables for predicting FNR including the recently-described "degeneration score" (DS); 2) the predictive value of FNR for post-procedural (type IVa) myocardial infarction (MI); 3) the effect of filter type on incidence of FNR. FNR was observed in 30% of patients and was predicted by a higher DS at baseline (2.1±0.9 vs. 1.4±0.8, p=0.02, respectively) as well as by the type of filter used (54% vs. 23% in SpiderFX and FilterWire EZ, respectively, p=0.04). However, at multivariate analysis DS was the only independent predictor of FNR (OR 2.47, CI 95% 1.06-5.76, p=0.04). Graft age and FNR were found to be independent predictors of type IVa MI (OR 1.28; CI%E2%80%AF95% 1.01-1.64, p=0.04 and OR 15.69; CI%E2%80%AF95% 2.12-116.39, p=0.007, respectively). FNR is a common complication of protected SVG stenting. FNR occurs mainly in grafts with a high degeneration score, and the presence of FNR predicts post-procedural myocardial infarction.

Abstract 17341: Use and Effectiveness of Drug-Eluting versus Bare Metal Stents in Saphenous Vein Bypass Graft Percutaneous Coronary Interventions: Insights from the National VA Clinical Assessment, Reporting and Tracking (CART) Program

Background: Little is known about the use and outcomes of drug eluting stents (DES) versus bare metal stents (BMS) in saphenous vein graft (SVG) percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Methods: From the National VA CART program database of 59 catheterization laboratories, we identified all VA patients undergoing SVG PCI (n=2636). Based on a propensity score to receive a DES, we identified a matched cohort of 920 patients who received a DES to 920 patients who received a BMS (n=1840 total) during an index SVG PCI between October, 2004 and September, 2010. Kaplan-Meier analyses were performed to determine the association of DES vs BMS use and follow-up myocardial infarction, revascularization and death. Results: SVG PCI represented 7.3% of the total PCI volume (2636 of 36,256 patients). Of these, 1615 (61.2%) were treated with a DES and embolic protection devices were successfully used in 32.5% of patients. In the propensity matched cohort, the 2-year rate of MI was significantly lower among patients who received DES versus BMS (19% vs 23.9%, p=0.005) (Figures). However, the 2 year mortality and revascularization rates were not significantly different in the DES versus BMS groups respectively (9.2% vs 12.0%, p= 0.14 and 22.3% vs 20.6%, p=0.24). Conclusion: In a large national SVG-PCI registry, DES compared to BMS use was associated with lower rates of MI but similar revascularization and death rates.

Covered stent implantation for giant saphenous vein graft pseudoaneurysms

Saphenous vein graft (SVG) pseudoaneurysm after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) remains an uncommon and usually late complication in b5% of cases [1]. Patients can present with chest pain, dyspnea and associated compression from the mediastinal mass [2]. Treatments such as surgical repair and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are not well defined. Vascular plug and coils as well as covered stents are options for treatment [3]. Options are limited for SVG pseudoaneurysms where there are multiple necks present that are poorly visualized and where prior stenting has been performed. We describe a case of where multiple Graftmaster® PTFE covered stents (Abbott Vascular) were used for a large SVG pseudoaneurysm with multiple necks. An 81-year-old woman with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, as well as CABG and prior native vessel and SVG PCI, described typical chest pain, shortness of breath and was noted to have a mediastinal mass on routine chest X-ray. She had undergone CABG in 1993 (left internal mammary artery to the first diagonal branch and SVG to the first obtuse marginal branch (OM1)), and subsequent PCI in 2000 (stent placement in the SVG to OM with three self-expanding Wallstents® (Boston Scientific, Natick, MA)) for an acute coronary syndrome. She underwent diagnostic cardiac catheterization 1 year later for

A Comparison of Drug-Eluting Stents versus Bare Metal Stents in Saphenous Vein Graft PCI Outcomes: A Meta-Analysis

Studies demonstrate that percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents (DES) is associated with reduced revascularization and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) rates compared to bare metal stents (BMS) in native coronary vessels. Optimal PCI treatment of saphenous vein graft (SVG) lesions remains unclear despite SVG procedures representing up to 10% of PCI cases. We therefore performed a meta-analysis to compare outcomes between BMS and DES in SVG PCI. A search (2004-2009) of MEDLINE and conference proceedings for all relevant studies comparing mortality and MACE outcomes in DES versus BMS in SVG PCI and meta-analysis of the data was performed. Twenty studies were identified from 2005 to 2009 enrolling a total of 5,296 patients. Meta-analysis revealed a decrease in mortality associated with DES use, odds ratio (OR) 0.68; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.53-0.88; P = 0.004. Similarly, MACE (OR 0.64; 95% CI 0.51-0.82; P < 0.001), total lesion revascularization (OR 0.60; 95% CI 0.43-0.83; P = 0.002), and total vessel revascularization (OR 0.57; 95% CI 0.41-0.80; P = 0.001) were significantly decreased in the patients in which DES were used compared to BMS. This reduction in mortality and MACE events associated with DES use appears to be limited to registry studies and not randomized controlled studies. Our meta-analysis suggests DES use to be safe in SVG PCI and associated with reduced mortality and MACE rates with reductions in revascularization also observed.

Frequency and Predictors of Drug-Eluting Stent Use in Saphenous Vein Bypass Graft Percutaneous Coronary Interventions: A Report From the American College of Cardiology National Cardiovascular Data CathPCI Registry

We examined a large registry to determine the frequency and factors associated with drug-eluting stents (DES) use in saphenous vein graft (SVG) in contemporary practice. Prospective trials comparing DES with bare-metal stents in SVG lesions have provided conflicting conclusions regarding safety and efficacy leading to potential variation in stent choice for these lesions. We analyzed the frequency and factors associated with DES use in patients undergoing SVG stenting from January 1, 2004, to March 31, 2009, in the National Cardiovascular Data Registry. Generalized estimating equations logistic regression modeling was used to generate independent variables associated with DES use in SVGs. During the study period, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of a SVG represented 5.7% of the total PCI volume (91,355 of 1,596,966). Of the 84,875 patients who received a SVG stent, a DES was used in 64.5%. From 2005 to 2009, DES use in SVG PCI changed from 80% to 62%. Unfractionated heparin was used in 46%, enoxaparin in 17%, bivalirudin in 42%, and a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor in 40% of cases. On multivariable analysis, several parameters (including the period, multivessel PCI, prior PCI, no acute myocardial infarction, and no smoking) were associated with DES use. Currently, DES are used in nearly two-thirds of SVG interventions. Several clinical parameters (such as the period of implantation and the complexity of coronary artery disease) are associated with the decision to implant a DES in these challenging lesions.

Comparison of Bivalirudin Versus Bivalirudin Plus Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitor Versus Heparin Plus Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitor in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes Having Percutaneous Intervention for Narrowed Saphenous Vein Aorto-Coronary Grafts (the ACUITY Trial Investigators)

Clinical outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndromes randomized in the Acute Catheterization and Urgent Intervention Triage Strategy (ACUITY) trial who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) were examined. The ACUITY trial assessed the safety and efficacy of bivalirudin alone versus bivalirudin plus a glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitor versus heparin plus a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor in 13,819 patients with moderate- and high-risk acute coronary syndromes, 7,789 of whom underwent PCI. A total of 329 patients (4.2%) underwent PCI of SVGs in ACUITY. The primary end points at 30 days were composite ischemia or major adverse cardiac events (death, myocardial infarction, or unplanned target vessel revascularization), major bleeding (unrelated to coronary artery bypass grafting), and net adverse clinical events (composite ischemia or major bleeding). The rates of ischemic, bleeding, and net clinical end points were similar with bivalirudin monotherapy, bivalirudin plus a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor, and heparin plus a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor. Net adverse clinical outcome rates at 30 days were 22%, 26%, and 22% (p = 0.67), respectively, for the 3 groups. Major adverse cardiac event rates at 1 year were 37%, 37%, and 43% (p = 0.95), respectively. Minor bleeding unrelated to coronary artery bypass grafting at 30 days was significantly lower with bivalirudin alone compared with heparin plus a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor (26% vs 38%, p = 0.05). In conclusion, bivalirudin is an effective anticoagulant in PCI of SVGs in acute coronary syndromes, with similar rates of major adverse cardiac events and net adverse cardiac events and lower minor bleeding complications in comparison with heparin plus a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor or bivalirudin plus a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor.

Comparison of Drug-Eluting and Bare Metal Stents for Saphenous Vein Graft Lesions (from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Dynamic Registry)

The effectiveness and safety of drug-eluting stents (DES) compared with bare-metal stents (BMS) in saphenous vein graft (SVG) disease remains unclear. In particular, there is a paucity of data on long-term outcomes. In this study, 395 patients enrolled in the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Dynamic Registry who underwent stenting of SVG lesions with BMS (n = 192) from 1999 to 2006 or DES (n = 203) from 2004 to 2006 were analyzed. Patients were followed prospectively for the occurrence of cardiovascular events and death at 3 years. Patients treated with DES were more likely to have diabetes mellitus and other co-morbidities and previous percutaneous coronary intervention. Treated lesions in DES patients were more complex than those in BMS patients. At 3 years of follow-up, the adjusted risk for target vessel revascularization (hazard ratio 1.03, 95% confidence interval 0.65 to 1.62, p = 0.91) and death or myocardial infarction (hazard ratio 0.72, 95% confidence interval 0.49 to 1.04, p = 0.08) was similar in patients treated with DES and those treated with BMS. The combined outcome of death, myocardial infarction, or target vessel revascularization excluding periprocedural myocardial infarction was also similar (adjusted hazard ratio 0.82, 95% confidence interval 0.62 to 1.09, p = 0.16). In conclusion, this multicenter nonrandomized study of unselected patients showed no benefit of DES in SVG lesions, including no reduction in target vessel revascularization, compared with BMS at 3 years. An adequately powered randomized controlled trial is needed to determine the optimal stent type for SVG percutaneous coronary intervention.

Predicting Restenosis of Drug-Eluting Stents Placed in Real-World Clinical Practice

Background— Prediction of restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains challenging, and existing risk assessment algorithms were developed before the widespread adoption of drug-eluting stents (DES). Methods and Results— We used data from the EVENT registry to develop a risk model for predicting target lesion revascularization (TLR) in 8829 unselected patients undergoing DES implantation between 2004 and 2007. Using a split-sample validation technique, predictors of TLR at 1 year were identified from two thirds of the subjects (derivation cohort) using multiple logistic regression. Integer point values were created for each predictor, and the summed risk score (range, 0 to 10) was applied to the remaining sample (validation cohort). At 1 year, TLR occurred in 4.2% of patients, and after excluding stent thrombosis and early mechanical complications, the incidence of late TLR (more likely representing restenosis-related TLR) was 3.6%. Predictors of TLR were age &lt;60, prior PCI, unprotected left main PCI, saphenous vein graft PCI, minimum stent diameter ≤2.5 mm, and total stent length ≥40 mm. Comparison of observed versus predicted rates of TLR according to risk score demonstrated good model fit in the validation set. There was more than a 3-fold difference in TLR rates between the lowest risk category (score=0; TLR rate, 2.2%) and the highest risk category (score ≥5; TLR rate, 7.5%). Conclusions— The overall incidence of TLR remains low among unselected patients receiving DES in routine clinical practice. A simple risk model incorporating 6 readily available clinical and angiographic variables helps identify individuals at extremely low (&lt;2%) and modestly increased (&gt;7%) risk of TLR after DES implantation.

THE UTILITY OF ROUTINE INTRA-VASCULAR ULTRASOUND DURING PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTION OF SAPHENOUS VEIN GRAFTS.

Abstract Category: Intravascular DiagnosticsPresentation Number: 2503-509Authors: Asmir I. Syed, Gabriel Maluenda, Itsik Ben-Dor, Manuel A. Gonzalez, Michael A. Gaglia, Cedric Delhaye, Loic Belle, Kohei Wakabayashi, Nicholas Hanna, Sara D. Collins, Rebecca Torguson, Zhenyi Xue, Nelson Bernardo, William O. Suddath, Kenneth M. Kent, Lowell F. Satler, Augusto D. Pichard, Joseph Lindsay, Ron Waksman, Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC Background: Intra-vascular Ultrasound (IVUS) use during Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) of native coronaries has been used to study lesion and vessel characteristics. It is unknown whether routine IVUS use in PCI of a saphenous vein graft (SVG) is beneficial.Methods: A cohort of 543 patients who underwent SVG PCI ( 375 in IVUS group, 171 in the no IVUS group) were followed clinically up to 1 year and the clinical events were recorded and compared between the two groups. Patients presenting with myocardial infarction, cardiogenic shock, and multi-vessel or native vessel PCI were excluded. The primary composite endpoints were in-hospital major complications and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at 1 year. Peri-procedural MI was defined as maximum troponin I greater then 3 times the baseline troponin I.Results: Baseline and procedural characteristics were similar [see Table]. IVUS group had significantly longer procedural length and higher restenosis lesions. In-hospital complications, peri-procedural myocardial infarction, and no-reflow phenomenon were similar between the two groups. At 1 year, IVUS group had significantly higher MACE then the no IVUS group (22.7% vs 14.6%, p=0.03). On multivariate analysis, IVUS was not an independent predictor of MACE. [HR, 1.57 (0.95-2.60), p=0.07)Conclusion: Routine IVUS for SVG PCI is safe but does not improve in-hospital or long term outcomes.Table

Prognostic value of procedure-related myocardial infarction according to the universal definition of myocardial infarction in saphenous vein graft interventions

In the recently published universal definition of myocardial infarction (MI), a troponin elevation above 3x above the 99th percentile of normal after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a procedure-related (type 4a) MI. Although troponin rise is common after saphenous vein graft (SVG) PCI, its prognostic value remains undetermined. We aimed to investigate the prognostic value of the universal definition of PCI-related MI in SVG interventions. A cohort of 589 unselected consecutives patients with normal preprocedural troponin Ic undergoing isolated SVG PCI with drug-eluting stent implantation was included. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the peak troponin value post PCI: those with MI defined as a peak troponin value above 3x the 99th percentile of normal post-PCI (MI group, n = 166) and those without (no MI group, n = 423). The primary end point was the rate of major adverse cardiac events including death, MI, and target vessel revascularization at 1-year follow-up. Baseline characteristics were similar between the 2 groups. In the MI group, patients had more complex angiographic features (type C lesions: 44.7 vs 34.8%; P = .006). The rate of direct stenting and distal protection use were similar in the 2 groups (MI vs no MI: 29.2 vs 28.7%; P = .9 and 32 vs 37.5%; P = .24, respectively). Patients in the MI group had a worse inhospital course but a similar 1-year rate of major adverse cardiac events (22.3 vs 19.1%; P = .39). Procedure-related MI after PCI, as defined by the universal definition, is associated with an adverse inhospital course but may not predict long-term outcome in SVG PCI.

Percutaneous saphenous vein graft intervention with sequential embolic protection devices: Complementing lesion anatomy with embolic protection device

Saphenous vein graft (SVG) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) carries unique technical challenges requiring the utilization of embolic protection devices (EPDs) to reduce the adverse events associated with distal embolization. Distal embolization is a common and almost ubiquitous consequence of SVG PCI due to the soft and friable nature of the SVG lesions. We describe a case of revascularizing a SVG with tandem stenoses employing the use of two different EPDs that complemented their respective lesion's location within the SVG.

Saphenous Vein Graft Stenting and Major Adverse Cardiac Events

Treatment of saphenous vein graft (SVG) stenosis with percutaneous coronary intervention has a 15% to 20% incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) within 30 days. Although MACE rates are reduced significantly by the use of embolic protection devices (EPDs), neither the level of baseline risk nor the benefit provided by EPDs has been well characterized. Data from 5 randomized controlled trials and 1 registry evaluating EPDs in SVG percutaneous coronary intervention (n=3958 patients) were pooled for analysis. MACE was defined as a composite of death, myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization. Baseline variables and 2 summary angiographic variables (an SVG degeneration score and an estimate of lesion plaque volume) were included in a multivariable logistic regression model to predict 30-day MACE, with adjustment for the type of device used and inter-study variation. The angiographic variables were potent predictors of MACE (increasing SVG degeneration score, P<0.0001; larger estimated plaque volume, P<0.0001), with significant contributions from the presence of thrombus (P<0.01), increasing patient age (P<0.01), glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor use (P=0.02), and current tobacco abuse (P=0.03). The treatment benefit of EPDs was preserved across all categories of risk as categorized by SVG degeneration or plaque volume. The strongest predictors of 30-day MACE in SVG percutaneous coronary intervention are angiographic estimates of plaque volume and SVG degeneration. Identification of these predictors of 30-day MACE allows reliable prediction of patient outcomes and confirms consistent treatment benefit with the use of EPDs across the range of patients tested in randomized trials.

Flow Impairment During Saphenous Vein Graft Intervention is Associated With Greater Plaque Embolization Despite Use of Distal Protection Device

Backgroundandaims:Saphenousveingraft percutaneous coronary intervention (SVG-PCI) has a 10–30% risk of myocardial infarction (AMI) by the ‘slow or no-reflow’ phenomenon. This is partly mediated by the embolization of atheromatous material. We sought to identify factors associated with reduced flow as assessed by TIMI frame count (TFC) post SVG-PCI. Methods: Consecutive patients (n= 24, age 68± 9) undergoing SVG-PCI utilizing the distal protection device, FilterWire EZ (Boston Scientific, Natick, MA) were enrolled. Quantitative coronary analysis (QCA) and TFC were performed on all angiograms by two cardiologists. We evaluated patients in two groups defined as improved or impaired TFC post-procedure. Results:Themean age of SVGwas 14.4 (±4.4) years. A total of 26 lesions were analysed with a mean lesion length of 23.3 (±17.9) mm. The inter-observer variability in TFCwas 2.3%. Increased TFC post-PCI, a marker of reduced flow, w a p r s t F l g C u i fl s b

Prediction of Distal Embolization During Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Saphenous Vein Grafts

Distal protection devices have been proved to decrease distal embolization and improve outcome in unselected patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in saphenous vein grafts (SVGs). However, it remains uncertain whether distal protection is necessary in all patients. We investigated whether clinical or angiographic variables can predict distal embolization and, hence, need for a distal protection device. Fifty-eight consecutive SVGs that underwent PCI with a FilterWire distal protection device were studied. After the procedure, the FilterWire was fixed in formalin and photographed, and embolic debris area (square millimeters) was quantified by semi-automated edge-detection analysis. Debris area was correlated with 6 prespecified variables: clinical presentation, SVG age, reference lumen diameter, plaque volume, SVG degeneracy, and presence of a filling defect. Embolic debris was identified in 57 of 58 grafts (98%). Median debris area was 4.0 mm(2) (range 0.0 to 25.1). None of the prespecified variables predicted the occurrence of distal embolization or the amount of captured embolic debris. In conclusion, distal embolization during SVG PCI is universal. Embolic burden cannot be predicted by clinical or angiographic variables, and embolic protection should be used in all patients.

Thrombus predicts ischemic complications during percutaneous coronary intervention in saphenous vein grafts: Results from TARGET (do tirofiban and reopro give similar efficacy trial?)

Saphenous vein graft (SVG) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) carries a high risk of ischemic complications. However, there are scant recent data to identify which SVG lesions carry particularly high risk in recent years. We studied demographic and angiographic factors associated with ischemic complications after SVG PCI without distal protection in the TARGET (do tirofiban and reopro give similar efficacy trial?) study. TARGET was a multicenter double-dummy, double-blinded study randomizing 4,809 PCI patients to tirofiban or abciximab. Of these, 254 patients underwent PCI involving an SVG lesion. The primary endpoint of this analysis was major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) at 30 days, including death, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), and urgent target vessel revascularization. No demographic characteristic was associated with 30-day MACE. Lesion length > 20 mm (odds ratio [OR] = 2.7, P = 0.03), thrombus (OR = 3.9, P = 0.003), eccentricity (P = 0.001), thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow < 3 post-procedure (OR = 5.6, P = 0.037), and >1 target lesion (OR = 2.5, P = 0.035) were univariate variables associated with 30-day MACE. Multivariate analysis associated only thrombus (OR = 3.8, P = 0.015) with 30-day MACE. No difference in outcomes was noted between patients receiving abciximab and tirofiban. SVG patients had lesser angiographic success (95.6% vs. 98%, P = 0.04) and increased 30-day Q-wave MI (2.5% vs. 0.9%, P = 0.039) compared with non-SVG patients, but a similar incidence of death (0% vs. 0.4%), non-Q-MI (5.9% vs. 4.5%), and target vessel revascularization (0.5% vs. 1%). In the era of routine stenting and GpIIb/IIIa inhibitors, thrombus is the angiographic characteristic most closely associated with adverse outcomes of SVG PCI.

Use of Platelet Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors in Saphenous Vein Graft Percutaneous Coronary Intervention and Clinical Outcomes

Platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitors are widely used in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Previous studies have suggested that they do not offer benefit in saphenous vein graft PCI. Nonetheless, their use remains widespread during vein graft angioplasty. We retrospectively analyzed 1,537 patients who underwent saphenous vein graft PCI. Patients who received a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor (n = 941) were compared with those who did not receive any GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor (n = 596). The primary end point was myonecrosis after PCI (creatine kinase-MB level >3 times the upper reference limit). The incidence of myonecrosis after PCI was similar between the group that received GP IIb/IIIa and the group that did not (odds ratio for GP IIb/IIIa use 1.39, 95% confidence interval 0.97 to 2.00, p = 0.07). Propensity-adjusted analysis demonstrated no significant difference in myonecrosis after PCI, in-hospital mortality, Q-wave myocardial infarction, or bleeding (blood transfusion, retroperitoneal bleed, or hematoma) between the 2 groups. In an analysis restricted to patients who were treated with an emboli protection device, GP IIb/IIIa use was not associated with decreased myonecrosis after PCI (this was also the case for patients who were not treated with an emboli protection device). Unadjusted survival (mean follow-up 5.5 +/- 0.1 years) was similar between the group that received GP IIb/IIIa and the group that did not (log-rank test, p = 0.89). There was no difference in survival after adjusting for the propensity to receive a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor (adjusted odds ratio for GP IIb/IIIa use 0.92, 95% confidence interval 0.69 to 1.23, p = 0.59). In conclusion, adjunctive use of platelet GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors in saphenous vein graft PCI does not appear to be associated with less myonecrosis or improved survival.

Percutaneous coronary intervention of or through saphenous vein grafts or internal mammary arteries: The impact of stents, adjunctive pharmacology, and multicomponent distal protection

We hypothesized that the use of stents and aggressive adjunctive pharmacotherapies has been associated with lower rates of complicating myocardial infarction (MI) and improved long-term outcomes compared to either previous balloon-only percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or atheroablative intervention for lesions of or through saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) and/or internal mammary arteries (IMAs). PCI of SVG has been complicated by relatively high rates of procedural MI and less favorable long-term outcomes than native vessel PCI, stimulating the development and application of an array of technologies. This study was based on retrospective review of stent-era (1999-2004) 5-year experience of a single center with 95 SVG procedures in 85 patients and 20 IMA procedures in 20 patients. These cases were compared with the previously published experience of one of the operators during the balloon-only period and literature review of the application of multiple technologies to SVG intervention, as well as consideration of the reoperation alternative. There was one in-hospital death each in the SVG cohort (1%) and in the IMA cohort (5%). There were SIX procedural MIs (6%), defined by total CK > normal, and 19 procedural MIs (20%) based on troponin-I > 1.0. Follow-up has been from 4 months to 5 years (average, 2.5 years), with 91% survival and one late CABG in the IMA group. SVG PCI with stents and adjunctive pharmacotherapies is associated with relatively low rates of procedural MI and favorable long-term outcomes.

Periprocedural Cardiac Enzyme Elevation Predicts Adverse Outcomes

Extensive clinical investigation throughout the 1990s validated periprocedural myonecrosis as a powerful predictor of adverse outcomes, so it is surprising that this remains a contentious point. Originally derided as “enzyme leaks” or “myocardial infarctlets,” periprocedural myocardial infarction (MI) has now been definitively linked in large data sets to long-term adverse outcomes, most notably mortality. It is not, however, always directly contributory or causative. For example, a large creatine kinase (CK) elevation caused by closure of a major side branch resulting in chest pain and development of new Q waves is obviously undesirable and causally related to the interventional procedure. Alternatively, even small, asymptomatic CK elevations have been clearly associated with worse long-term outcome, and although this may in part be causally related to the procedure, it is more likely that the relationship is caused by the underlying predisposing factors that led to the periprocedural MI, such as arterial inflammation predilecting to the occurrence of embolization or to a large degree of atheroma burden leading to more myonecrosis. Under these circumstances, it is likely that the heightened inflammatory state and the diffuse disease that is present are the real causative factors for worse long-term outcomes. Recently, aspirin resistance has been demonstrated to predict periprocedural myonecrosis. Thus, both through direct causation and also as an epiphenomenon, embolization and attendant periprocedural myonecrosis are associated with short, intermediate, and long-term adverse outcomes (Table 1). This review details this evolution in thought. View this table: TABLE 1. Mechanisms Behind Periprocedural Myonecrosis Periprocedural myonecrosis is a frequent occurrence in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). CK or CK myocardial band (CK-MB) elevation occurs in ≈25% of patients undergoing PCI. With the advent of sensitive troponin measurements, it is clear that at least 50% of patients undergoing PCI have postprocedural troponin elevation, reflecting the frequency with which embolization occurs. However, troponin offers …

Preprocedural White Blood Cell Count and Major Adverse Cardiac Events Late After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Saphenous Vein Grafts

Elevation of white blood cells (WBCs) is associated with worse outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), including patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of native coronary arteries, but this relation has not been studied in patients with saphenous vein graft disease undergoing PCI. A total of 530 patients who underwent PCI of saphenous vein grafts from May 1997 to July 2002 were followed for >3 years. Major adverse coronary events (MACEs) were assessed as a composite of death, myocardial infarction, or revascularization during follow-up (mean 2.7 years). Patients with MACEs (n = 287) were younger and had more thrombotic and ostial lesions (p < 0.05) than those without MACEs (n = 243). The preprocedural WBC count was also significantly higher in the MACE group than in the non-MACE group (8.1 x 10(3)/mul, range 6.6 to 10.1, vs 7.0 x 10(3)/mul, range 5.6 to 8.2; p < 0.001). After adjusting for covariates, multiple logistic regression analysis revealed the preprocedural WBC count to be an independent predictor for MACEs (odds ratio 1.2; 95% confidence interval 1.1 to 1.3, p < 0.001). Patients in the highest quartile of the preprocedural WBC level had a significantly increased risk of MACEs (lowest vs highest quartile, 41.3% vs 72.4%; odds ratio 3.7; 95% confidence interval 2.2 to 6.3). Thus, an elevated preprocedural WBC count is associated with increased risk of MACEs in patients undergoing PCI for saphenous vein graft lesions.

Drug-eluting stenting is superior to bare metal stenting in saphenous vein grafts

This study compared the outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) with drug-eluting stents (DES) with bare metal stents (BMS). PCI of degenerated SVG is associated with worse outcomes and high incidence of in-stent restenosis compared with PCI of native coronary arteries. There is a paucity of data on the outcomes of PCI of SVG with DES. Data from 223 consecutive patients who underwent PCI of SVG were imputed into a dedicated clinical database. We assessed the clinical outcomes at a mean follow-up of 9.1+/-2.1 months. A total of 139 patients underwent PCI of SVG with DES and 84 patients with BMS. The mean age of the SVG was 7.6+/-3.8 years in the DES group and 7.7+/-2.8 years in the BMS group (P=0.38). Procedural success was achieved in all patients except for one patient in the BMS group who underwent emergent coronary artery bypass graft surgery for SVG dissection. There were no other in-hospital cardiac events in both groups. There was one cardiac death in the DES group and three deaths in the BMS group (P=0.03). When compared to the BMS, PCI of SVG with DES was associated with a lower incidence of myocardial infarction (4.3% vs. 20.2%; P=0.04) and target vessel revascularization (10.1% vs. 36.9%; P=0.035). When compared with BMS, PCI of SVG with DES was associated with a lower incidence of death, myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization.