Coronary Artery Disease: King SB

King SB, Aversano T, Ballard WL, Beekman RH, Cowley MJ, Ellis SG, Faxon DP, Hannan EL, Hirshfeld JW, Jacobs AK, Kellett MA, Kimmel SE, Landzberg JS, McKeever LS, Moscucci M, Pomerantz RM, Smith KM, Vetrovec GW, Creager MA, Hirshfeld JW, Holmes DR, Newby LK, Weitz HH, Merli G, Piña I, Rodgers GP, Tracy CM, Anonymous00143, Anonymous00144, Anonymous00145. · No affiliation provided · J Am Coll Cardiol. · Pubmed #17601554 No free full text.

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Anonymous00180, King SB, Aversano T, Ballard WL, Beekman RH, Cowley MJ, Ellis SG, Faxon DP, Hannan EL, Hirshfeld JW, Jacobs AK, Kellett MA, Kimmel SE, Landzberg JS, McKeever LS, Moscucci M, Pomerantz RM, Smith KM, Vetrovec GW, Creager MA, Holmes DR, Newby LK, Weitz HH, Merli G, Piña I, Rodgers GP, Tracy CM. · No affiliation provided · Circulation. · Pubmed #17592076 links to  free full text

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King SB, Hannan EL. · No affiliation provided · Circulation. · Pubmed #18852362 No free full text.

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King SB. · No affiliation provided · Circulation. · Pubmed #17339563 links to  free full text

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King SB. · No affiliation provided · J Am Coll Cardiol. · Pubmed #11263601 No free full text.

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King SB, Mahmud E. · No affiliation provided · Circulation. · Pubmed #10604881 links to  free full text

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Holmes DR, Gersh BJ, Whitlow P, King SB, Dove JT. · Department of Cardiology, Division of Cardiovascular Disease and Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. · JACC Cardiovasc Interv. · Pubmed #19393142 No free full text.

Abstract: As it approaches its fourth decade, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is now the most widely used revascularization strategy around the world and has been tested in multiple clinical scenarios against both medical and surgical therapies. For each patient group and clinical scenario setting, the goals of therapy must be specifically defined and clearly understood as an integral component of the process of selecting the optimal strategy for the individual patient. In patients with chronic stable, often mild angina, the major achievable goals of PCI are to affect symptoms, either by decreasing them or preventing them, reduce the need for subsequent procedures, and relieve ischemia. Achievement of these goals has been documented in multiple randomized trials of PCI versus medical therapy. In these trials of patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD), however, no reduction in death and myocardial infarction has been observed, and these limitations of PCI in this clinical setting need to be emphasized. Given the typically diffuse nature of CAD and the fact that PCI only treats a segment within a coronary artery, this is not surprising. Although optimal medical therapy forms the cornerstone of management for any patient with CAD, among stable patients who do fail medical therapy, percutaneous coronary revascularization plays a well-documented significant role in improving symptoms and preventing the subsequent need for revascularization. The appropriate utilization rates of PCI in patients with chronic stable angina and preserved left ventricular function should lead to more cost-effective care of patients with stable CAD.

King SB. · Fuqua Heart Center at Piedmont Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia 30309, USA. · Am J Cardiol. · Pubmed #17719350 No free full text.

Abstract: The use of percutaneous coronary interventions has resulted in significant improvement in patient care; however, the risk for restenosis remains a major limitation. Drug-eluting stents represent an impressive breakthrough in the evolution of interventional cardiology, but it is important to understand the limits to their added benefit. Safety of the procedure must continue to be the first consideration, and technique must not be compromised to accommodate new technology.

King SB. · The Fuqua Heart Center, Atlanta, GA 30309, USA. · Circulation. · Pubmed #16145014 links to  free full text

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Hannan EL, Racz M, Holmes DR, Sharma S, Katz S, Walford G, King SB, Clark LT, Jones RH. · School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12144-3456, USA. · Am Heart J. · Pubmed #17719304 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Drug-eluting stents are now used in most percutaneous coronary interventions. There are only 2 approved devices: sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) and paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES). Only a few population-based studies have compared their patient outcomes. METHODS: All New York State patients undergoing SES or PES in nonfederal hospitals in the state between April 1 and December 31, 2004, except those with a previous revascularization, left main coronary artery disease, or a recent myocardial infarction (MI) or shock (4867 patients with PES and 6914 with SES) were followed up through the end of 2005. We compared SES and PES with respect to inhospital and 18-month mortality, 18-month mortality/MI, and subsequent target vessel and target lesion revascularization (TVR and TLR) after adjusting for differences in patient risk factors. RESULTS: By 18 months after receiving a PES, 4.0% of the patients died compared with 4.1% for SES patients, 5.9% of PES patients experienced mortality/MI compared with 6.3% of SES patients, 6.8% of the PES patients had a subsequent TVR within 18 months compared with 7.8% for SES patients, and 4.5% of the PES patients had a subsequent TLR within 18 months compared with 5.3% for SES patients. The respective adjusted hazards ratios (PES/SES) for these adverse outcomes were 1.02 (95% CI 0.82-1.26, P = .86), 0.94 (95% CI 0.78-1.13, P = .52), 0.89 (95% CI 0.75-1.06, P = .20), and 0.86 (95% CI 0.70-1.05, P = .14). CONCLUSIONS: Patients receiving PES and SES do not have significantly different 18-month mortality, mortality/MI, subsequent TVR, or subsequent TLR rates.

Zhao XQ, Kosinski AS, Barnhart HX, Superko HR, King SB. · Department of Medicine, Cardiology Division, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98103, USA. · Med Sci Monit. · Pubmed #12601286 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The natural history of atherosclerosis progression following revascularization procedures (PTCA or CABG) limits the long-term benefits of these procedures and requires continuation of risk management. MATERIAL/METHODS: Of 392 patients with multivessel disease randomized to an initial strategy of PTCA or CABG in the Emory Angioplasty Versus Surgery Trial (EAST), 298 patients (152 PTCA and 146 CABG) completed 3-year angiographic follow-up. Native coronary artery disease progression was defined as lesions with <50% diameter stenosis (%S) at baseline, measured by QCA, that increased at least 10%S to become >or=50%S during the 3-year follow-up. Major ischemic events (new Q-wave myocardial infarction, a large reversible thallium defect or additional revascularization procedures) attributed to these new lesions were determined based on the ECG ischemic changes and/or the details of the coronary anatomy. RESULTS: Of 298 patients, 53 (18%) (15% of PTCA and 21% of CABG) developed at least one significant new native coronary artery lesion. Of 136 patients with events, 19 (14%) had such events due to progression. In multivariate analysis, native coronary disease progression was independently correlated with hypertension (OR=2.4, p=0.03), ST segment depression =1mm on baseline ETT (OR=2.7, p=0.01), and percent of small LDL particles (LDL IIIa-IVb) (OR=1.2 for every 5% increase, p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In EAST, the native CAD progression accounted for one in seven major ischemic episodes over a 3-year follow-up. Patients with metabolic atherogenic risk profiles were more likely to have disease progression. These findings indicate the importance of more aggressive risk factor modification following revascularization.

Gibson CM, Goel M, Murphy SA, Dotani I, Marble SJ, Deckelbaum LI, Dodge JT, King SB, Anonymous00098. · University of California San Francisco, 94118, USA. · Am J Cardiol. · Pubmed #11113417 No free full text.

Abstract: Acute coronary syndromes result in a global impairment of coronary blood flow with nonculprit artery blood flow being associated with culprit artery flow and vice versa. Improvements in nonculprit artery flow are related to improvements in culprit artery flow after percutaneous intervention; nonculprit arteries with abnormal flow sustain greater improvements in their flow after culprit artery intervention.

Weintraub WS, Becker ER, Mauldin PD, Culler S, Kosinski AS, King SB. · Division of Cardiology, School of Medicine, Health Policy and Management, and Biometry, Medical University of South Carolina, USA. · Am J Cardiol. · Pubmed #11018194 No free full text.

Abstract: The Emory Angioplasty versus Surgery Trial (EAST) was a randomized trial that compared, by intention to treat, the clinical outcome and costs of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and coronary bypass grafting (CABG) for multivessel coronary artery disease. We present the findings of the economic analysis of EAST through 8 years of follow-up and compare the cost and outcomes of patients randomized in EAST versus patients eligible but not randomized (registry patients). Charges were assessed from hospital UB82 and UB92 bills and professional charges from the Emory Clinic. Hospital charges were reduced to cost through step-down accounting methods. All costs and charges were inflated to 1997 dollars. Costs were assessed for initial hospitalization and for cumulative costs of the initial hospitalization and additional revascularization procedures up to 8 years. Total 8-year costs were $46,548 for CABG and $44,491 for PTCA (p = 0.37). Cost of CABG in the eligible registry group showed a pattern similar to that for randomized patients, but total cost of PTCA was lower for registry patients than for randomized patients. Thus, the primary procedural costs of CABG are more than those for PTCA; this cost advantage, given the limits of measurement, is largely or even completely lost for randomized patients over the course of 8 years because of additional procedures after a first revascularization by PTCA.

King SB, Kosinski AS, Guyton RA, Lembo NJ, Weintraub WS. · Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. · J Am Coll Cardiol. · Pubmed #10758949 No free full text.

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the long-term outcome of patients randomized to coronary bypass surgery or coronary angioplasty. BACKGROUND: The Emory Angioplasty versus Surgery Trial (EAST) is a single center randomized comparison of a strategy of initial coronary angioplasty (n = 198) or coronary bypass surgery (n = 194) for patients with multivessel coronary artery disease. The primary end point (death, myocardial infarction or a large ischemic defect at 3 years) was not different, and repeat revascularization was significantly greater in the angioplasty group. Subsequently, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute supported a five-year extension of the trial. METHODS: After the three year anniversary visit, annual questionnaires, telephone contact and examination of medical records were accomplished until death or the eight year anniversary in 100% of the patients surviving at 3 years. RESULTS: Survival at 8 years is 79.3% in the angioplasty group and 82.7% in the surgical group (p = 0.40). Patients with proximal left anterior descending stenosis and those with diabetes tended to have better late survival with surgical intervention although not reaching statistical significance. After the first 3 years, repeat interventions remained relatively equal for both treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term survival is not significantly different between angioplasty and surgery, and late (three to eight year) revascularization procedures were infrequent. Patients without treated diabetes had similar survival in both groups.

Alazraki NP, Krawczynska EG, Kosinski AS, DePuey EG, Ziffer JA, Taylor AT, Pettigrew RI, Vansant JP, Shaw LJ, Weintraub WS, King SB. · Department of Radiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. · Am J Cardiol. · Pubmed #10606106 No free full text.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between reversible thallium single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion defects at 1-year after revascularization and quantitative indexes in Emory Angioplasty versus Surgery Trial (EAST) and outcomes 3 years after revascularization in 336 patients. EAST was a randomized controlled trial assessing cardiac outcomes for angioplasty versus bypass surgery for patients with multivessel coronary artery disease. During this prospective trial, a substudy included the evaluation of the prognostic value of reversible defects on quantitative thallium SPECT. At 1-year after revascularization, 336 patients underwent SPECT thallium-201 stress myocardial perfusion and 3-hour delayed imaging. Subsequent events, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, coronary artery bypass graft surgery, myocardial infarction, and death, were recorded at 3 years. A stress-induced reversible thallium-201 defect was defined using a quantitative index of a reversibility score >30% and severity score >500. Reversible defects were observed more frequently in the percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty than in the coronary artery bypass graft surgery treatment groups (46% vs 27%, p <0.001). A total of 123 patients had stress-induced, reversible thallium defects and more events than patients with other perfusion results (freedom from all events was 81.3% vs 94% [p <0.001], and freedom from myocardial infarction and death 88.3% vs 95.5% [p = 0.031]). Quantitative thallium SPECT at 1 year after revascularization risk stratifies patients as to their likelihood of major cardiac outcomes.

Kim LJ, King SB, Kent K, Brooks MM, Kip KE, Abbott JD, Jacobs AK, Rihal C, Hueb WA, Alderman E, Sing IR, Attubato MJ, Feit F, Anonymous00027. · National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, Maryland, USA. · JACC Cardiovasc Interv. · Pubmed #19463459 No free full text.

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: We evaluated demographic, clinical, and angiographic factors influencing the selection of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery versus percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in diabetic patients with multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD) in the BARI 2D (Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation in Type 2 Diabetes) trial. BACKGROUND: Factors guiding selection of mode of revascularization for patients with diabetes mellitus and multivessel CAD are not clearly defined. METHODS: In the BARI 2D trial, the selected revascularization strategy, CABG or PCI, was based on physician discretion, declared independent of randomization to either immediate or deferred revascularization if clinically warranted. We analyzed factors favoring selection of CABG versus PCI in 1,593 diabetic patients with multivessel CAD enrolled between 2001 and 2005. RESULTS: Selection of CABG over PCI was declared in 44% of patients and was driven by angiographic factors including triple vessel disease (odds ratio [OR]: 4.43), left anterior descending stenosis >or=70% (OR: 2.86), proximal left anterior descending stenosis >or=50% (OR: 1.78), total occlusion (OR: 2.35), and multiple class C lesions (OR: 2.06) (all p < 0.005). Nonangiographic predictors of CABG included age >or=65 years (OR: 1.43, p = 0.011) and non-U.S. region (OR: 2.89, p = 0.017). Absence of prior PCI (OR: 0.45, p < 0.001) and the availability of drug-eluting stents conferred a lower probability of choosing CABG (OR: 0.60, p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of diabetic patients with multivessel disease were selected for PCI rather than CABG. Preference for CABG over PCI was largely based on angiographic features related to the extent, location, and nature of CAD, as well as geographic, demographic, and clinical factors. (Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation in Type 2 Diabetes [BARI 2D]; NCT00006305).

Hlatky MA, Boothroyd DB, Bravata DM, Boersma E, Booth J, Brooks MM, Carrié D, Clayton TC, Danchin N, Flather M, Hamm CW, Hueb WA, Kähler J, Kelsey SF, King SB, Kosinski AS, Lopes N, McDonald KM, Rodriguez A, Serruys P, Sigwart U, Stables RH, Owens DK, Pocock SJ. · Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA. · Lancet. · Pubmed #19303634 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are alternative treatments for multivessel coronary disease. Although the procedures have been compared in several randomised trials, their long-term effects on mortality in key clinical subgroups are uncertain. We undertook a collaborative analysis of data from randomised trials to assess whether the effects of the procedures on mortality are modified by patient characteristics. METHODS: We pooled individual patient data from ten randomised trials to compare the effectiveness of CABG with PCI according to patients' baseline clinical characteristics. We used stratified, random effects Cox proportional hazards models to test the effect on all-cause mortality of randomised treatment assignment and its interaction with clinical characteristics. All analyses were by intention to treat. FINDINGS: Ten participating trials provided data on 7812 patients. PCI was done with balloon angioplasty in six trials and with bare-metal stents in four trials. Over a median follow-up of 5.9 years (IQR 5.0-10.0), 575 (15%) of 3889 patients assigned to CABG died compared with 628 (16%) of 3923 patients assigned to PCI (hazard ratio [HR] 0.91, 95% CI 0.82-1.02; p=0.12). In patients with diabetes (CABG, n=615; PCI, n=618), mortality was substantially lower in the CABG group than in the PCI group (HR 0.70, 0.56-0.87); however, mortality was similar between groups in patients without diabetes (HR 0.98, 0.86-1.12; p=0.014 for interaction). Patient age modified the effect of treatment on mortality, with hazard ratios of 1.25 (0.94-1.66) in patients younger than 55 years, 0.90 (0.75-1.09) in patients aged 55-64 years, and 0.82 (0.70-0.97) in patients 65 years and older (p=0.002 for interaction). Treatment effect was not modified by the number of diseased vessels or other baseline characteristics. INTERPRETATION: Long-term mortality is similar after CABG and PCI in most patient subgroups with multivessel coronary artery disease, so choice of treatment should depend on patient preferences for other outcomes. CABG might be a better option for patients with diabetes and patients aged 65 years or older because we found mortality to be lower in these subgroups.

Jabara R, Gadesam R, Pendyala L, Chronos N, Crisco LV, King SB, Chen JP. · Saint Joseph's Cardiovascular Research Institute, Saint Joseph's Hospital of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30342, USA. · Am Heart J. · Pubmed #19033010 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Although the safety and cost-effectiveness of same-day discharge after uncomplicated transradial percutaneous coronary intervention (TR-PCI) is well established in Europe and Asia, such data are not available for US patients. METHODS: All patients who underwent TR-PCI at our high-volume US medical center between 2004 and 2007 were included in this study. The primary end point was in-hospital adverse clinical outcomes between 6 and 24 hours postprocedure. RESULTS: A total of 450 patients were included in this study (aged 59 +/- 11 years). Of these, 13% were female, 27% were diabetic, 6% had peripheral vascular disease, and 5% had chronic kidney disease. Procedural indications included stable angina (49%), unstable angina (31%), non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) (17%), and ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) (3%). All patients received an intra-arterial cocktail of heparin, verapamil, and nitroglycerin, and 13% of patients received glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors. Seven percent of patients had 3-vessel disease, 3% had bypass grafts stenoses, and 20% had class B(2)/C lesions. Procedural success rate was 96%. A total of 24 (5.3%) postprocedural complications were observed; however, none occurred between hours 6 to 24, the time differential between same-day and next-day discharge. Thirteen patients (2.9%) experienced significant complications within the first 6 hours (MI, urgent repeat revascularization, and ventricular tachycardia). Eleven (2.4%) spontaneously resolved minor access complications developed. There were 12 same-day discharges according to the operators' discretion; none required readmission. CONCLUSIONS: Although a low incidence of complications did occur, none would have been impacted by same-day discharge. Those observed before 6 hours would have prevented early discharge, and those occurring after 24 hours would have been unaffected by routine next-day discharge. This observational study demonstrated the safety and feasibility for a prospective evaluation of ambulatory TR-PCI in an American practice setting.

King SB. · The Fuqua Heart Center, Piedmont Hospital, Atlanta, GA 30309, USA. · Nat Clin Pract Cardiovasc Med. · Pubmed #17593914 No free full text.

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King SB. · Fuqua Heart Center, Piedmont Hospital, 95 Collier Road NW, Ste. 2075, Atlanta, GA 30309, USA. · Arch Intern Med. · Pubmed #16344415 No free full text.

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Hannan EL, Wu C, Walford G, King SB, Holmes DR, Ambrose JA, Sharma S, Katz S, Clark LT, Jones RH. · State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA. · Circulation. · Pubmed #16103238 links to  free full text

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Most studies that are the basis of recommended volume thresholds for percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) predate the routine use of stent placement. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data from New York's Percutaneous Coronary Interventions Reporting System in 1998 to 2000 (n=107 713) were used to examine the impact of annual hospital volume and annual operator volume on in-hospital mortality, same-day coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, and same-stay CABG surgery after adjustment for differences in patients' severity of illness. For a hospital-volume threshold of 400, the odds ratios for low-volume hospitals versus high-volume hospitals were 1.98 (95% CI, 1.17, 3.35) for in-hospital mortality, 2.07 (95% CI, 1.36, 3.15) for same-day CABG surgery, and 1.51 (95% CI, 1.03, 2.21) for same-stay CABG surgery. For an operator-volume threshold of 75, the odds ratios for low-volume versus high-volume operators were 1.65 (95% CI, 1.05, 2.60) for same-day CABG surgery and 1.55 (95% CI, 1.10, 2.18) for same-stay CABG surgery. Operator volume was not significantly associated with mortality. Also, for hospital volumes below 400 and operator volumes below 75, the respective odds of mortality, same-day CABG surgery, and same-stay CABG surgery were 5.92, 4.02, and 3.92 times the odds for hospital volumes of 400 or higher and operator volumes of 75 or higher. CONCLUSIONS: Higher-volume operators and hospitals continue to experience lower risk-adjusted PCI outcome rates.

Li J, De Leon H, Ueno T, Cui J, Coussement PK, King SB, Chronos NA, Robinson KA. · The American Cardiovascular Research Institute, Norcross, Georgia 30071, USA. · J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. · Pubmed #12658062 No free full text.

Abstract: Placement of an ameroid constrictor in large-conduit pig coronary arteries causes progressive stenosis and distal myocardial ischemia. Blood perfusion in the ischemic region is partly dependent on vasomotor responses to neural and humoral factors distal to the occlusion site. To ascertain the degree of impairment of vascular function in pigs, the authors induced myocardial ischemia by placing an ameroid constrictor in the left circumflex coronary artery and examined vascular reactivity and histopathology distal to the constriction site. The sensitivity of the distal left circumflex coronary and nonoccluded control left anterior descending arteries to PGF(2alpha) was similar. After nitric oxide blockade using Nw-nitro-l-arginine methylester (l-NAME), the sensitivity and maximal contraction to PGF(2alpha) were significantly increased in both the left circumflex coronary (EC50: 5.86 +/- 0.74 vs. 3.28 +/- 0.84 microM; C(max): 4.63 +/- 0.28 vs. 6.25 +/- 0.30 g, P < 0.01) and left anterior descending (EC50: 6.57 +/- 0.73 vs. 2.78 +/- 0.16 microM; C(max): 5.09 +/- 0.37 vs. 6.95 +/- 0.39 g, P < 0.01) arteries. Substance P-induced relaxation (100 pM) was blocked to a larger degree in the distal left circumflex coronary artery when compared with the left anterior descending artery (76.9 +/- 4.2% vs. 56.4 +/- 3.1%, P < 0.05). Endothelium-independent relaxation to sodium nitroprusside was similar in the left circumflex coronary and left anterior descending arteries before and after nitric oxide blockade. Histopathologic examination showed no major differences between distal left circumflex coronary artery segments and left anterior descending artery controls. However, scanning electron microscopy showed endothelial hypertrophy and activation in specimens from the left circumflex coronary arteries. In summary, as a result of the major hemodynamic changes induced by a chronic constriction and eventual occlusion of a large coronary artery, distal segments underwent adaptive compensatory changes. Such compensation may be related to an increased nitric oxide production by the hypertrophic endothelium in response to alterations in coronary hemodynamics.

Srinivas VS, Brooks MM, Detre KM, King SB, Jacobs AK, Johnston J, Williams DO. · Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA. · Circulation. · Pubmed #12270854 links to  free full text

Abstract: BACKGROUND: This investigation compares the results of contemporary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with standard balloon angioplasty among patients with multivessel coronary disease. Patients having balloon angioplasty in the Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation (BARI) and those within the Dynamic Registry meeting BARI eligibility criteria were studied. METHODS AND RESULTS: Clinical features and in-hospital and 1-year outcomes of 857 BARI-eligible patients in the Dynamic Registry (contemporary PCI) were compared with the 904 randomized patients who underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in BARI. Compared with BARI patients, Registry patients had fewer lesions attempted (1.53 versus 2.56, P=0.001), more frequent single-vessel PCI (76% versus 33%, P<0.001), greater use of intracoronary stents (76% versus 1%, P<0.001), and GP IIb/IIIa receptor antagonist (24% versus 0%, P<0.001). Angiographic success was achieved more often among Registry patients (91% versus 72%, P<0.001), whereas abrupt closure (1.5% versus 9.5%, P<0.001) and in-hospital coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) (1.9% versus 10.2%, P<0.001) and myocardial infarction (0.8% versus 2.1%, P=0.025) were less common. No differences were observed in either in-hospital or 1-year death, but 1-year death/myocardial infarction was lower in the Registry. Registry patients had lower 1-year rates of subsequent CABG (8.6% versus 22.7%, P<0.001) and PCI (12.4% versus 22.5%, P<0.001). By multivariate analysis, contemporary PCI was independently associated with reduced risk for in-hospital CABG, 1-year CABG, and 1-year PCI. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with multivessel disease, contemporary PCI resulted in safer and more durable revascularization. These results support the role of PCI for selected patients with multivessel coronary artery disease.

Weintraub WS, Mahoney EM, Ghazzal ZM, King SB, Culler SD, Morris DC, Douglas JS. · Division of Cardiology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. · Am J Cardiol. · Pubmed #11524057 No free full text.

Abstract: Our objective was to examine trends in outcome and cost of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between 1990 and 1999. PCI has become the most common form of myocardial revascularization in recent years, rivaling the more established coronary artery bypass surgery. There has been increasing interest in improving outcome of PCI while also seeking to minimize cost. A total of 21,755 patients undergoing PCI were evaluated. Clinical data were gathered from the Emory Cardiovascular Database and financial data from the UB92 formulation of the hospital bill. Charges were reduced to cost using departmental cost-to-charge ratios. Costs were inflated to 1999 dollars using medical care inflation rates. Mortality varied without a significant trend from 0.63% to 0.44% (p = 0.64). The Q-wave myocardial infarction rate decreased from 0.68% to 0.40% (p = 0.0003). Emergent coronary surgery decreased from 3.50% to 1.25% (p <0.0001). Mean hospital inflation-adjusted cost decreased from $10,478 to $8,367 (p <0.0001). Length of stay after the procedure decreased from 2.8 to 1.8 days (p <0.0001). Outcome of PCI continues to improve, with a decrease in coronary surgery and Q-wave myocardial infarction but with no significant change in mortality. This was accomplished while also decreasing costs and length of stay. Whether these favorable trends will continue remains to be seen.

Laskey WK, Williams DO, Vlachos HA, Cohen H, Holmes DR, King SB, Kelsey SF, Slater J, Faxon D, Al-Bassam M, Block E, Detre KM, Anonymous00184. · Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland Medical System, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA. · Am J Cardiol. · Pubmed #11305987 No free full text.

Abstract: The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Dynamic Registry includes 15 clinical sites in wave 1, and 16 sites in wave 2 as well as a data-coordinating center. The first wave of enrollment began in July 1997 and was completed in February 1998. The second wave began in February 1999 and ended in June 1999. There were a total of 2,526 patients in wave 1 and 2,109 patients in wave 2. Comprehensive pre-, intra-, and postprocedure (in-hospital) data were analyzed for changes between recruitment waves. Patients in wave 2 were more frequently nonwhite (p < or = 0.001), hypertensive by history (p < or = 0.001), had more significant noncardiac comorbidity (p < or = 0.01), and had more frequently undergone prior percutaneous coronary intervention (p < 0.05). Patients in wave 2 underwent percutaneous coronary intervention in a setting of acute coronary syndromes more frequently than wave 1 patients (p < or = 0.001). However, most interventions in both waves were performed on 1 vessel, irrespective of the extent of disease. Attempted lesions in wave 2 were longer (p < or = 0.001), less frequently totally occluded (p < or = 0.001), and more frequently in vessels with a prior stent (p < or = 0.01). Using the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology lesion classification scheme, attempted lesions in wave 2 were less complex than those in wave 1 (p < or = 0.001). Stent use increased significantly from wave 1 (67%) to wave 2 (79%, p < or = 0.001) as did the use of platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonists (wave 1, 24%; wave 2, 32%: p < 0.001). Procedural outcomes (angiographic success without major in-hospital adverse events) were excellent in both waves 1 (94.6%) and 2 (95.6%) and were not significantly different. However, the frequency of significant procedural coronary dissection and in- and out-of-laboratory abrupt closure were significantly less in wave 2 (p < or = 0.001) Discharge medications were more likely to include angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, beta-adrenergic blocking agents, and hypolipidemic treatment in wave 2 than in wave 1 (p < or = 0.001). These data indicate a continuing aggressive approach to patient care over the time interval analyzed. Although overall procedural outcomes are excellent, procedural safety has been further enhanced. There is also a growing awareness of the importance of secondary prevention among interventional cardiologists.