Unprotected LM Research Articles

High-Output Mechanical Circulatory Support in Left Main Interventions: The Magenta Elevate High-Risk PCI First-in-Human Study.

The Magenta Elevate is a 9-F, self-expanding, catheter-mounted pump delivered sheathed through a commercially available 10-F femoral introducer over the wire to the left ventricle (LV), providing temporary hemodynamic support up to an equivalent of normal cardiac output. The authors sought to assess the feasibility and outcomes of Elevate-supported high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (HR-PCI) in a first-in-human study and study the hemodynamic impact of high-output support during prolonged interventional left main coronary artery (LM) occlusions. In this study, 14 patients underwent Elevate-supported HR-PCI, with 8 patients undergoing 20 prolonged (39 ± 16 seconds) balloon occlusions of an unprotected LM. Systolic and diastolic aortic pressures, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and diastolic aorto-left ventricular pressure difference (dΔPAoLV) were determined before and during inflations. There were no major device-related adverse events (primary safety endpoint) and no mortality at 30days. During prolonged LM occlusions, the following changes were observed: There was a significant drop in systolic aortic pressure (-35mmHg [-46 to-23mmHg]; P< 0.0001) accompanied by a significant increase in diastolic pressure (7mmHg [4 to 10mmHg]; P< 0.0055). MAP, which showed a small decrease (-7mmHg [-13 to-2mmHg]; P< 0.001) and dΔPAoLV (-2mmHg [-5 to 4mmHg]; P = 0.51) remained in the normal range. Ventriculo-arterial uncoupling occurred in 13 of 20 LM balloon occlusions. In this first-in-human study, use of the Magenta Elevate low-profile, high-output catheter during HR-PCI was safe and provided substantial cardiac support. During prolonged interventional LM occlusions, the system unloaded the LV, maintaining a normal MAP and dΔPAoLV.

Long Term Outcome of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients with Unprotected Left Main Disease

Background: The management of unprotected left main coronary artery disease (LM CAD) poses a significant clinical challenge. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) have been extensively compared, with PCI emerging as a viable option for specific patient subsets. Advancements in interventional cardiology, including drug-eluting stents and intravascular ultrasound, have improved PCI outcomes, yet long-term efficacy remains a subject of investigation. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the long-term outcomes of PCI in patients with unprotected LM CAD, focusing on all-cause mortality, cardiac deaths, myocardial infarction, revascularization, and stroke. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Peshawar Institute of Cardiology, KPK, from November 2022 to October 2023. A total of 120 patients aged 55-70 years with LM disease undergoing PCI were included. Long-term outcomes were assessed after five years. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 23, focusing on frequency and association of outcomes with gender. Results: The study observed all-cause mortality in 15.0% (n=18) of the patients, cardiovascular mortality in 6.7% (n=8), myocardial infarction in 7.5% (n=9), revascularization in 14.2% (n=17), and stroke in 4.2% (n=5). Gender analysis revealed no significant difference in all-cause mortality (P=0.73), with a notable gender disparity in cardiovascular mortality favoring females (P=0.04). Revascularization and stroke rates did not significantly differ by gender. Conclusion: PCI presents a favorable and safe long-term treatment option for patients with unprotected LM CAD, with significant outcomes in terms of mortality, myocardial infarction, revascularization, and stroke. The study supports the continued use of PCI in clinical practice, highlighting the necessity for further comparative research with CABG to optimize patient outcomes.

Single stent versus two stent strategy in primary PCI for unprotected LM occlusion

Abstract Background Acute MI due to left main coronary artery (LMCA) occlusion carry the highest anatomical risk for morbidity and mortality during primary PCI. Although several clinical trials compared different PCI techniques and strategies for LMCA, still special populations and different clinical scenarios have lack of evidence about ideal approaches. Purpose We aim to compare provisional stenting versus two stent upfront technique in acute MI due to LMCA occlusion regarding short term clinical outcomes. Methods This was a prospective observational study from three large centers within the period from February 2019 to Feb 2023. Patients with acute STEMI due to LMCA occlusion who are candidates for primary PCI were included and was assigned to two groups according to operator discretion. Group I (provisional stenting) versus group II (upfront two stent strategy). Our primary outcome was MACE within 30 days and secondary Outcomes were angiographic outcomes after intervention including TIMI flow, CTFC and myocardial blush. Results A total of 62 patients met our inclusion criteria, mean age (62.64±8.61), 24.6% women. Thirty-eight patients in group I undergone provisional stenting and twenty-four patients in group II undergone two stent strategy. MACE was significantly higher in the two-stent strategy group (61.62% vs 40.34%, P&amp;lt;0.001] compared with provisional stenting group. the IV epinephrine group. Angiographic outcomes were significantly better in provisional stenting group by the end of the procedure. There was marked increase in patients who achieved postprocedural TIMI III and TMPG III in group I by 22% and 18% respectively in comparison with two stent strategy group. Conclusion Our observational study concluded that provisional stenting carries better short-term outcomes in acute MI intervention due to unprotected LMCA occlusion. Clinical studies are needy in this specific population.Study flow chartFigure I

Abstract 12711: Stent Length as a Predictor of Target Vessel Revascularization in Patients Treated With Drug-Eluting Stents

Background: While several factors have been shown to increase the risk of stent thrombosis, most cases of target vessel revascularization (TVR) are due to in-stent restenosis (ISR) and have not been fully evaluated. Objectives: Our aims were to identify predictors of early and late TVR after drug-eluting stents (DES) implantation in a large prospective registry, focusing on stent length. Methods and Results: We analyzed rates of TVR according to stent length in a prospective registry of 14,447 all-comers treated with angioplasty and DES implantation in our institution. Patients were divided into quartiles according to stent length - mean 21mm - percentile 25 (Q1) 15mm, 50 (Q2) 18mm, 75 (Q3) 26mm and 100 (Q4) 32mm. At baseline patients had similar rates of diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure and left ventricular ejection fraction. Patients in the first quartile tend to be older, more commonly of female gender, with higher rates of GFR&lt;60, anemia, and unprotected LM angioplasty. At 4 years follow-up, rates of TVR and MACE were higher in patients with longer stents; 8.5%, 9.8%, 10.4% and 16.1% (p&lt;0.001) and 25.3%, 26.6%, 27% and 28.4% (p=0.031); for TVR and MACE in Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 groups of patients; respectively. There were no significant differences in the rates of all-cause death amongst patients in different quartiles. Furthermore, at multivariate Cox-regression analysis length of stent was found to be a significant independent predictor for TVR (OR 1.25 95.0% CI 1.11 - 1.42; p&lt;0.001). Conclusion: From the analysis of a large cohort of all-comer angioplasty patients who were treated with DES, stent length emerged as an independent predictor of TVR and MACE.

The impact of left circumflex coronary artery ostium stenosis on outcomes for patients after percutaneous coronary intervention for unprotected left main disease.

The impact of left circumflex coronary artery (LCX) ostium atherosclerosis in left main coronary artery (LM) bifurcation disease is not well-known. The study aimed to assess whether the involvement of LCX ostium carries prognostic implications in patients undergoing unprotected LM percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Consecutive 564 patients with unprotected LM (ULMCA) disease who underwent LM PCI between January 2015 and February 2021, with at least 1 year of available follow-up were included in the study. The first group was composed of 145 patients with ULMCA disease with LCX ostium stenosis, and the second group consisted of 419 patients with ULMCA disease without LCX ostium stenosis. Patients in the group with ULMCA disease with LCX ostium stenosis were significantly older and had more comorbidities. The two-stent technique was used more often in the group with LCX ostium stenosis (62.8% vs. 14.6%; P <0.001). During 7-year follow-up, all-cause mortality did not differ significantly between groups with and without LCX ostium stenosis (P = 0.50). The use of one-stent or two-stent technique also did not impact mortality in patients with LCX ostial lesions (P = 0.75). Long-term mortality subanalysis for three groups of patients: (1) patients with LM plus LCX ostium stenosis; (2) LM plus left anterior descending artery (LAD) ostium stenosis; (3) LM plus LCX ostium plus LAD ostium stenosis also did not differ significantly (P = 0.63). LCX ostium involvement in LM disease PCI is not associated with adverse long-term outcomes, which is highly beneficial for the Heart Team's decision-making process.

TCTAP C-054 Optimizing DK Crush Stenting in Un-Protected LM Bifurcation

TCTAP C-054 Optimizing DK Crush Stenting in Un-Protected LM Bifurcation

Outcomes of Left Main Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Objective: The objective of this research is to assess the efficacy of left main coronary artery (LMCA) revascularization and to document the outcomes for patients who underwent this procedure. Methodology: The National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) in Karachi conducted a cross-sectional study from January 2018 to December 2019 and discovered that participants had a decreased risk of developing heart disease. All patients aged 18 and above who received percutaneous LMCA revascularization at the study location were considered for inclusion. We evaluated patient outcomes in the hospital by charting and doing telephonic follow-ups for one year. Regarding quantitative variables, the results were expressed as means and standard deviations, and concerning qualitative variables, as percentages. Results: The study center treated 95 patients with LM PCI during the study period. 68 (71.5%) of the people who had LM PCI had unprotected LM. LM PCI was most commonly performed on 44 patients (46.3%) presenting with unstable angina. Ninety-one (95.7%) patients required PCI due to native LM illness, while four patients (4.2%) underwent LM PCI as a rescue treatment. There were 41.7 ± 26.9 months of follow-up on average. Participants were followed up on average for 41.7 ±26.9 months, and they were admitted to the hospital on average for 4.45 ±3.2 days. The death rate in the hospital was 12.6%, and this was followed by the mortality rate at 1 year and a mean follow-up of 7.5% and 6.7%, respectively. Conclusion: Hemodynamically unstable patients, or those who cannot have bypass surgery for various reasons, have a successful therapy option in Pakistan: LM percutaneous coronary intervention. It may be necessary for the future to conduct prospective studies to evaluate whether PCI can be used to treat LM lesions when compared with existing treatments. Keywords: Percutaneous coronary, Intervention Coronary artery disease, Intravascular ultrasound, Left main coronary artery.

P66 GENDER–RELATED DIFFERENCES IN CLINICAL OUTCOMES AFTER EITHER SINGLE OR DOUBLE LEFT MAIN BIFURCATION STENTING

Abstract Background We sought to examine the impact of gender differences in clinical outcomes at 3 years also comparing the role of double versus single stenting approach for the treatment of coronary unprotected LM bifurcation lesions. Methods We retrospectively analyzed both the procedural and medical data of patients referred to our hub center for complex LM bifurcation disease, treated using Cross–over provisional stenting, T or T–and–Protrusion (TAP), Culotte, and Nano–inverted–T (NIT) techniques between January1st, 2008 to May1st2018. The main outcome of the study was to evaluate the association between gender and target lesion failure (TLF) based on the different stenting technique used. Results Five hundred and sixty–seven patients (251 females, mean age 70.0±10 years, mean Syntax score 31.6±6.3) were evaluated. Cross–over, T or TAP, culotte and NIT techniques were performed in 171 (30.1%), 61 (10.7%), 98(17.2%) and 237 (41.8%) patients, respectively with no differences in baseline and peri–procedural items among gender. At a mean follow–up of 37.1±10.8 months (range 22.1–39.3 moths), the overall TLF rate, cardiovascular mortality and stent thrombosis were 12.1%, 3.1% and 1.0%, respectively. Female gender was associated with an increased rate of major bleeding when treated with double stent strategy (p = 0.02). No gender difference in TLF was noted among gender, independently from the stenting approach used. Conclusions Among patients with ULM bifurcation disease undergoing PCI, TLF rates were not different between genders at 3–year follow–up either using a single or double stent technique.

Gender-related differences in clinical outcomes after either single or double left main bifurcation stenting.

We sought to examine the impact of gender differences in clinical outcomes at 3years also comparing the role of double versus single stenting approach for the treatment of coronary unprotected LM bifurcation lesions. We retrospectively analyzed both the procedural and medical data of patients referred to our hub center for complex LM bifurcation disease, treated using Crossover provisional stenting, T or T-and-Protrusion (TAP), Culotte, and Nano-inverted-T (NIT) techniques between January 1st, 2008 and May 1st 2018. The main outcome of the study was to evaluate the association between gender and target lesion failure (TLF) based on the different stenting technique used. Five hundred and sixty-seven patients (251 females, mean age 70.0 ± 10years, mean Syntax score 31.6 ± 6.3) were evaluated. Crossover, T or TAP, culotte and NIT techniques were performed in 171 (30.1%), 61 (10.7%), 98 (17.2%) and 237 (41.8%) patients, respectively with no differences in baseline and peri-procedural items among gender. At a mean follow-up of 37.1 ± 10.8months (range 22.1-39.3 moths), the overall TLF rate, cardiovascular mortality and stent thrombosis were 12.1%, 3.1% and 1.0%, respectively. Female gender was associated with an increased rate of major bleeding when treated with double stent strategy (p = 0.02). No gender difference in TLF was noted among gender, independently from the stenting approach used. Among patients with ULM bifurcation disease undergoing PCI, TLF rates were not different between genders at 3-year follow-up either using a single or double stent technique.

Long-term outcomes following percutaneous coronary intervention to an unprotected left main coronary artery in cardiogenic shock

BackgroundIn cardiogenic shock with severe left main coronary artery stenosis (LM), limited information exists on short and longer-term outcomes. We sought to determine the outcomes of unprotected LM PCI in cardiogenic shock. MethodsExcluding patients with previous CABG, consecutive patients undergoing PCI in cardiogenic shock from the Melbourne Intervention Group registry between 2005 and 2013 were analysed. Those post LM PCI were compared to those post non-LM PCI. Patient and procedural data were collected with 30-day and 12-month follow-up. Australian National Death Index linkage was performed for long-term mortality analysis. ResultsAfter excluding previous CABG, 18,069 procedures were performed during 1st January 2005 to 30th November 2013, 601 procedures in the setting of cardiogenic shock. Of these, 45 were performed to an isolated LM and 556 to a non-LM. Those with LM PCI were older and more likely to have a baseline left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of <45%. The in-hospital, 30-day, 12-month and long-term mortality to 9 years in cardiogenic shock after LM PCI was 64.4%, 66.7%, 73.3% and 80.0% compared to 36.5%, 36.9%, 40.5% and 46.0%, after non-LM PCI (p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, LM PCI was a significant independent predictor of long-term mortality (HR1.59, 95%CI 1.00–2.53, p = 0.048). Landmark analysis of survivors to discharge found the long-term mortality of LM PCI approaches 60% compared to 27% for those with non-LM PCI (p = 0.003). ConclusionLong-term outcomes after PCI to LM in cardiogenic shock are poor, with much of the excess in mortality occurring early. However, reasonable long-term survival was found beyond the initial high-risk period.

TCTAP C-148 Unprotected LM Critical Stenosis with Cardiogenic Shock, CHIP PCI Under IABP

### Patient Initials or Identifier Number 2487220 ### Relevant Clinical History and Physical Exam 75-year-old woman She came to ER because of Epigastric pain, cold sweating, and respiratory distress History: HTN, Hyperlipidemia, & CAD,3VD and LM with NSTEMI s/p PCI with stenting to LAD & LCx &

Percutaneous coronary intervention in left main coronary artery disease: the 13th consensus document from the European Bifurcation Club.

The 2017 European Bifurcation Club (EBC) meeting was held in Porto (Portugal) and allowed a multidisciplinary international faculty to review and discuss the latest data collected in the field of coronary bifurcation interventions. In particular, the topic of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on left main coronary artery (LM) disease was highlighted as a contemporary priority. Herein, we summarise the key LM anatomy features, the diagnostic modalities and available data that are relevant for a patient's procedural management. Since the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing PCI on LM disease may depend on both PCI team organisation and PCI performance, the optimal catheterisation laboratory set-up and the rationales for device and technique selection are critically reviewed. The best lesion preparation modalities, the different DES implantation technique choices and the strategies to be considered during PCI on unprotected LM for optimal PCI results are reviewed step by step.

Transradial percutaneous coronary intervention for left main bifurcation lesions using 7.5-Fr sheathless guide catheter.

Recent studies have shown sheathless guide catheters (GCs) to be safe and effective during complex lesions such as bifurcations, chronic total occlusion (CTO), and/or calcified lesions. We investigated the feasibility and safety of using 7.5-Fr sheathless GC for transradial percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to treat left main bifurcation lesions.A total of 82 patients were consecutively enrolled from March 2013 to February 2016. They underwent transradial PCI for left main bifurcation lesions using the 7.5-Fr sheathless GC.The mean syntax score was 28.1 ± 6.1, and the majority (n = 55, 67.1%) was intermediate scores (23∼32). The unprotected LM disease was present in 67 of 82 patients (81.7%), and true bifurcation (Medina 1, 1, 1) was present in 46 of 82 patients (56.1%). The 2-stent technique was used in 62 of 82 patients (75.6%). The 2-stent technique included 31 cases (37.8%) of “Crush,” 18 cases (22.0%) of “Cullote,” and 13 (15.8%) cases of “T stent and modified T stent” (T stent). Immediate angiographic success rate was 100% (82/82), and procedural success rate was 97.6% (80/82). The vascular complications occurred in 3 patients (3/82, 3.7%).The use of 7.5-Fr sheathless GC is safe and allows PCI for complex bifurcation lesions located in the distal of left main to be performed transradially with a high success rate.

Impact of Operator Experience andVolume on Outcomes After LeftMainCoronary Artery PercutaneousCoronary Intervention.

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of operator experience on prognosis after left main coronary artery (LM) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). LM PCI can be technically challenging and potentially risky considering the amount of supplied myocardium. Consecutive patients who underwent unprotected LM PCI at a single institution were included and compared according to whether the primary operator was an experienced, high-volume LM operator (defined as an operator who performed at least 15 LM PCIs per year for at least 3 consecutive years) or not. Kaplan-Meier estimates and Cox proportional hazards models are presented. From January 2004 to December 2011, a total of 1,948 patients underwent unprotected LM PCI by 25 operators. Of these, 7 operators (28%) were considered experienced, and 18 (72%) were considered less experienced, with an overall mean experience of 12.0 ± 11.5 LM PCIs per year. LM PCI was performed in 1,422 patients (73%) by experienced operators and in 526 patients (27%) by less experienced operators. Patients treated by experienced operators had more complex and extensive coronary artery disease. Unadjusted and adjusted risks for cardiac death were lower for patients who were treated by experienced operators, both at 30-day (unadjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 0.23; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.09 to 0.60; p= 0.003; adjusted HR: 0.22; 95% CI: 0.09 to 0.59; p= 0.003) and 3-year (unadjusted HR: 0.53; 95% CI: 0.32 to 0.89, p=0.02; adjusted HR: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.29 to 0.84; p= 0.009) follow-up. Discrimination improved when operator experience was added to Cox proportional hazards models containing the SYNTAX (Synergy Between PCI With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery) score (integrated discriminatory index= 0.004, p=0.03) or SYNTAX score II (integrated discriminatory index= 0.007, p= 0.02). No significant interaction was detected between operator experience and distal bifurcation LM lesion, 2-stent bifurcation stenting, and intravascular ultrasound use (p > 0.10 forall). Patients who underwent LM PCI by high-volume and experienced operators had better short- andlong-term prognoses. Operator experience is an important factor in a complex intervention such as LM PCI.

Stenting of Unprotected Left Main Coronary Artery Stenosis: Immediate out comes in NICVD our Initial Experience

This study aims to describe the initial experiences and immediate outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with significant left main coronary artery disease with normal LV function in National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), Dhaka. Left main coronary artery disease is regarded as an absolute contraindication for coronary angioplasty. Recently several reports on protected or unprotected LMCA stenting or both suggested the possibility of percutaneous intervention for this prohibited area. The study was conducted in National Institute of Cardiovascular diseases &amp; Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Participants of the study were 100 patients with a diagnosis of critical left main coronary artery disease. Information was collected on their demographic characteristics and clinical history. Relevant physical examination and laboratory investigation were performed. Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) with stent implantation were done in the left main coronary artery and other culprit vessel where required. They were followed up thoroughly during the hospital stay. The study subjects were from 35 to 70 years old. 70 male and 30 female were included in this study. According to the clinical history, 12 lead surface ECG reading and cardiac enzyme analysis 40% patient was diagnosed as unstable angina, 40% presented with chronic stable angina and rest of them presented with old myocardial infarction. Among the study population critically isolated LM disease were 30%, critical left main with other vessels disease were 70%. The pattern of LM disease involvement were osteal 40%, mid shaft 10%, distal bifurcation 30%, entire LM involving bifurcation 20%. Procedural success rate was 100%. No patient faced major advance cardiac events (MACE) during hospital stay. Stenting of unprotected LM coronary artery stenosis may be safe effective alternative to CABG in carefully selected patients with normal LV function. Further studies in larger population of this group are needed to assess late out comes.University Heart Journal Vol. 10, No. 1, January 2014; 7-12

0293: Predictors of major cardiovascular events during unprotected left main PCI

PCI has become increasingly practiced in left main stenosis (LMS). The purpose of this study was to determine predictors of mid term major cardiovascular events in 110 cases of unprotected left main PCI. Clinical and angiographic data were collected retrospectively for all patients with LMS, admitted to the cardiology center of Sfax between 2002 and 2013 and for which urgent or scheduled percutaneous revascularization was performed. The occurrence of cardiovascular events, or MACCE: death, MI, heart failure, angina or stroke recurrence was assessed at 12 months. During the study period, 110 patients underwent an unprotected LM PCI. These patients were predominantly male (72.7%). The death rate intra – hospital was 4.5% and 12 months mortality was 3.6%. 31 patients (28.2%) had nonfatal events during follow up. The clinical presentation at admission and diabetes were MACCE predictors at 12 months (p=0.04 and 0.05 successively). The distal LM location with bifurcation involvement, the multivessel disease associated and a high Syntax score> 32 are predictors of the occurrence of MACCE in the medium term (p=0,03; p=0001; and p=0001 successively). The type and length of the stent used in the LMS are also predictors of the occurrence of MACCE (49.1% for BMS versus 9.8% for DES, p<0.001). The unprotected LM PCI became promising thanks to developpemet of angioplasty techniques and equipement especially intracoronary imaging.

Five-Year Outcomes in Patients With Left Main Disease Treated With Either Percutaneous Coronary Intervention or Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in the Synergy Between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery Trial

Current guidelines recommend coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) when treating significant de novo left main coronary artery (LM) stenosis; however, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has a class IIa indication for unprotected LM disease in selected patients. This analysis compares 5-year clinical outcomes in PCI- and CABG-treated LM patients in the Synergy Between PCI With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery (SYNTAX) trial, the largest trial in this group to date. The SYNTAX trial randomly assigned 1800 patients with LM or 3-vessel disease to receive either PCI (with TAXUS Express paclitaxel-eluting stents) or CABG. The unprotected LM cohort (N=705) was predefined and powered. Major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event rates at 5 years was 36.9% in PCI patients and 31.0% in CABG patients (hazard ratio, 1.23 [95% confidence interval, 0.95-1.59]; P=0.12). Mortality rate was 12.8% and 14.6% in PCI and CABG patients, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.88 [95% confidence interval, 0.58-1.32]; P=0.53). Stroke was significantly increased in the CABG group (PCI 1.5% versus CABG 4.3%; hazard ratio, 0.33 [95% confidence interval, 0.12-0.92]; P=0.03) and repeat revascularization in the PCI arm (26.7% versus 15.5%; hazard ratio, 1.82 [95% confidence interval, 1.28-2.57]; P<0.01). Major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events were similar between arms in patients with low/intermediate SYNTAX scores but significantly increased in PCI patients with high scores (≥33). At 5 years, no difference in overall major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events was found between treatment groups. PCI-treated patients had a lower stroke but a higher revascularization rate versus CABG. These results suggest that both treatments are valid options for LM patients. The extent of disease should accounted for when choosing between surgery and PCI, because patients with high SYNTAX scores seem to benefit more from surgery compared with those in the lower tertiles. http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00114972.

Intervenção percutânea em lesão de tronco de coronária esquerda não protegido

INTRODUÇÃO: Refinamentos da intervenção coronária percutânea (ICP), entre eles a utilização do ultrassom intravascular (IVUS) e da reserva de fluxo fraccionada (FFR), têm permitido o tratamento de lesões complexas com bons resultados. Como consequência, a abordagem percutânea das lesões de TCE se difundiu, incluindo hospitais de menor volume de procedimentos. Nosso objetivo foi apresentar os resultados iniciais e tardios da ICP de lesões de TCE não protegido. MÉTODOS: Foram incluídos pacientes consecutivos tratados em dois centros hospitalares, de agosto do 2009 a julho do 2013. A indicação da estratégia percutânea baseou-se em avaliação clínica, cálculo do escore Syntax, EuroScore e no desejo do paciente. RESULTADOS: Foram tratados 28 pacientes, com idade de 69,2 ± 10,1 anos, 39% eram diabéticos e 39% eram portadores síndrome coronária aguda. Metade dos pacientes tinha EuroScore ≥ 6; o escore Syntax foi de 26,0 ± 8,4 e 82% tinham lesões localizadas na bifurcação. As intervenções foram guiadas por IVUS e/ou FFR em 71,4% dos pacientes, 93% foram tratados com stents farmacológicos, predominantemente pela técnica de 1 stent, e o sucesso angiográfico foi alcançado em 100% dos casos. O acompanhamento foi de 19,2 ± 13,7 meses. A taxa de desfechos clínicos maiores foi de 21,4% no seguimento maior a 4 anos, óbito cardíaco de 14,2%, infarto do miocárdio não fatal de 3,5%, e revascularização da lesão-alvo em 3,5%. CONCLUSÕES: A ICP de TCE não protegido guiada, sempre que possível, por IVUS e/ou FFR é segura e eficaz no curto e longo prazos, na experiência em um hospital com moderado volume de procedimentos.

A “no‐option” left main PCI registry: Outcomes and predictors of in hospital mortality—utility of the logistic EuroSCORE

Although high-risk left main PCI populations have been previously described, there is little data describing outcomes and the role of the logistic EuroSCORE in surgical turndown cohorts or patients in extremis due to acute infarction or cardiogenic shock from left main ischemia. Consecutive patients with unprotected LM PCI who were surgical turndowns or in extremis were included in this retrospective cohort from 2004 to 2009 at two tertiary centers. Predictors of in-hospital mortality were identified utilizing routine and stepwise logistic regression. There were a total of 56 patients with mean age of 69 (±13). There were 23 (41%) patients with cardiogenic shock. The mean logistic EuroSCORE was 23.5% ± 21%. In-hospital death occurred in 12 (21%) patients, largely restricted to the shock subgroup (11/12). Univariate predictors of mortality included peak CK levels (P = 0.01), transfusion (P = 0.01), cardiogenic shock (P < 0.002), male gender (P = 0.027), and logistic EuroSCORE (P = 0.01). Stepwise logistic regression yielded logistic EuroSCORE (P = 0.04, OR: 1.25 (95% CI: 1.01-1.56) for every 5% increase) and peak CK level (P = 0.001, OR: 1.23 (95% CI: 1.09-1.40) for every 500 unit increase) as independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. The AUC ROC for logistic EuroSCORE was 0.73; and for logistic EuroSCORE plus peak CK level was 0.89. PCI appears to be a reasonable option in the high risk "no option" LM population, with the logistic EuroSCORE and peak CK levels being independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. Specifically, the logistic EuroSCORE and peak CK level combined discriminate in-hospital mortality with a high degree of certainty.

Left Main PCI, Still a Main Issue.

In this issue of journal, we have an observational study on left main PCI, a hot debate in interventional cardiology field (1). They reported that MACCE rate of 22% in one year follow-up seems to be pretty high. Several flaws make the interpretation of the results difficult. First and foremost, how could you mix protected and unprotected LM stenting together? Most of the unprotected ones didn’t have a better option, but protected LM stenting should be compared with other options: the good old CABGs. As far as I’m concerned, most of unprotected LM PCIs were done because of LM dissection or emergent conditions which make the results even more complicated. Using so many bare metal stents in this significant place again shows the emergency situation of the condition which was not stated. One year follow-up is not enough but still the MACCE rate is high. I mean if we had longer follow-up, higher figures where expected (2-4). Considering descriptive type of the study and mixing so many different types of patient subgroups which are actually completely different (protected and unprotected, emergent & elective, BMS & DES) makes the results uniterpretable. Using BMS in LM is not ethical in elective cases and I think they have used them in emergency situations. This further implies the inability to compare results (5, 6). Protected LM (includes most cases which is completely another issue and putting it together with unprotected cases is mixing two mutually exclusive issues). Although LM atherosclerosis seems to be responsive to risk factor modification and more or less under influence of the same factors as other vessels are, it has some different characteristics (7). The main difference is the presence of a large side branch (if we could call Left circumflex a side branch!) which makes the most interventions on LM, a bifurcation lesion. As most of bifurcations happens, ostium of circumflex shows the highest rate of restenosis unless you use two stents which makes the procedure cumbersome (8, 9). In the end, I would like to stick to the latest RCTs and do recommend PCI for low risk anatomy with good SYNTAX score and surgery for the others.