Impact of proton pump inhibitor use on clinical outcomes in East Asian patients receiving clopidogrel following drug-eluting stent implantation.

BACKGROUND: Concomitant use of clopidogrel and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) is common, but PPI may reduce the antiplatelet effects of clopidogrel in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We evaluated the impact of PPI use on clinical outcomes in post-PCI patients, by incorporating P2Y12 reaction unit (PRU) and CYP2C19 genotyping results. METHODS: From a multicenter registry of patients who underwent PCI with drug-eluting stent implantation and received clopidogrel-based dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), patients who were prescribed a PPI at the time of PCI (PPI users) were compared to those who were not (non-users). The primary outcome included all-cause death, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, or cerebrovascular accident at 12 months. Major bleeding (Bleeding Academic Research Consortium [BARC] types 3-5) and gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding (BARC types 3-5) were important secondary outcomes. The adjusted outcomes were compared using a 1:1 propensity-score (PS) matching and competing risk analysis. RESULTS: Of 13,160 patients, 2,235 (17.0%) were prescribed PPI, with an average age of 65.4 years. PPI users had higher on-treatment PRU levels than non-users. After PS matching, the primary outcome occurred in 51 patients who were PPI users (cumulative incidence, 4.7%) and 41 patients who were non-users (cumulative incidence, 3.7%; log-rank p = 0.27). In carriers of both CYP2C19 loss-of-function alleles, PPI use was linked to an increased risk of the primary outcome (hazard ratio, 3.22; 95% confidence interval, 1.18-8.78). The incidence of major bleeding and GI bleeding (BARC types 3-5) was comparable between PPI users and non-users in the PS-matched cohort. CONCLUSIONS: In post-PCI patients receiving clopidogrel-based DAPT, PPI use was not linked to an increased risk of adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events, but there was a small but significant increase in on-treatment PRU. Future research using a more individualized approach would further elucidate these interactions and guide evidence-based clinical practices.

Long-term prognostic implications of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

Objective: The long-term clinical effect of arterial stiffness in high-risk disease entities remains unclear. The prognostic implications of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) were assessed using a real-world registry that included patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: Arterial stiffness was measured using baPWV before discharge. The primary outcome was net adverse clinical events (NACE), defined as a composite of all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, or major bleeding. Secondary outcomes included major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE: a composite of all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or non-fatal stroke), and major bleeding. The outcomes were assessed over a 4-year period. Results: Patients (n = 3,930) were stratified into high- and low-baPWV groups based on a baPWV cut-off of 1891 cm/s determined through time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. baPWV was linearly correlated with 4-year post-PCI clinical events. The high baPWV group had a greater cumulative incidence of NACE, MACCE, and major bleeding. According to multivariable analysis, the high baPWV groups had a significantly greater risk of 4-year NACE (adjusted hazard ratio [HRadj]: 1.44; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12-1.85; p = 0.004), MACCE (HRadj: 1.40; 95% CI: 1.07-1.83; p = 0.015), and major bleeding (HRadj: 1.94; 95% CI: 1.15-3.25; p = 0.012). Conclusion: In PCI-treated patients, baPWV was significantly associated with long-term clinical outcomes, including ischemic and bleeding events, indicating its value for identifying high-risk phenotypes.

Inflammation and platelet reactivity during adjunctive colchicine versus aspirin in patients with acute coronary syndrome treated with potent P2Y12 inhibitor.

Background: In patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), the use of anti-inflammatory therapy with colchicine is associated with a reduction of recurrent ischemic events. The mechanisms of such findings are not fully elucidated. Objectives: To investigate the effects of colchicine versus aspirin on inflammation and platelet reactivity in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing PCI. Methods: This observational study compared laboratory measurements in ACS patients receiving single antiplatelet therapy with ticagrelor or prasugrel plus colchicine (MACT) (n = 185) versus conventional dual-antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin plus ticagrelor or prasugrel (n = 497). The primary outcome was the frequency of high residual inflammation, defined as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) ≥2 mg/L at 1 month post-PCI. Multiple sensitivity analyses were performed for the primary outcome, including multivariable adjustment, propensity-score matching, and inverse-probability weighted methods. Results: One month after PCI, patients treated with MACT had significantly lower levels of hs-CRP compared to those treated with DAPT (0.6 [0.4-1.2] vs. 0.9 [0.6-2.3] mg/L, p < 0.001). The frequency of high residual inflammation was also lower in the MACT group (10.8% vs. 27.2%, p < 0.001) (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 0.33 [0.20-0.54], p < 0.001). This effect was consistent across sensitivity analyses. There was no difference in platelet reactivity between MACT and DAPT (49.6 ± 49.0 vs. 51.5 ± 66.4 P2Y12 reaction unit [PRU] measured by VerifyNow, p = 0.776). Conclusion: In ACS patients undergoing PCI, MACT was associated with a lower rate of high residual inflammation without increasing platelet reactivity compared to conventional DAPT. Clinical trial registration: NCT04949516 for MACT pilot trial and NCT04650529 for Gyeongsang National University Hospital registry.

Prognostic Impact of CYP2C19 Genotypes on Long-Term Clinical Outcomes in Older Patients After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

BACKGROUND: Carriers of CYP2C19 loss-of-function alleles have increased adverse events after percutaneous coronary intervention, but limited data are available for older patients. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic impact of CYP2C19 genotypes on clinical outcomes in older patients after percutaneous coronary intervention. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study included 1201 older patients (aged ≥75 years) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention and received clopidogrel-based dual antiplatelet therapy in South Korea. Patients were grouped on the basis of CYP2C19 genotypes. The primary outcome was 3-year major adverse cardiac events, defined as a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and stent thrombosis. Older patients were grouped into 3 groups: normal metabolizer (36.6%), intermediate metabolizer (48.1%), and poor metabolizer (15.2%). The occurrence of the primary outcome was significantly different among the groups (3.1, 7.0, and 6.2% in the normal metabolizer, intermediate metabolizer, and poor metabolizer groups, respectively; P=0.02). The incidence rate of all-cause death at 3 years was greater in the intermediate metabolizer and poor metabolizer groups (8.1% and 9.2%, respectively) compared with that in the normal metabolizer group (3.5%, P=0.03) without significant differences in major bleeding. In the multivariable analysis, the intermediate metabolizer and poor metabolizer groups were independent predictors of 3-year clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: In older patients, the presence of any CYP2C19 loss-of-function allele was found to be predictive of a higher incidence of major adverse cardiac events within 3 years following percutaneous coronary intervention. This finding suggests a need for further investigation into an optimal antiplatelet strategy for older patients. REGISTRATION: URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov. Identifier: NCT04734028.

Different association of atherogenic index of plasma with the risk of high platelet reactivity according to the presentation of acute myocardial infarction.

This study evaluated the association of atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) with platelet reactivity and clinical outcomes according to acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The composite of 3-year adverse outcomes of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, and cerebrovascular accident was evaluated in 10,735 patients after successful percutaneous coronary intervention with drug-eluting stents. AIP was defined as the base 10 logarithm of the ratio of triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration. High platelet reactivity (HPR) was defined as ≥ 252 P2Y12 reactivity unit. An increase of AIP (per-0.1 unit) was related to the decreased risk of HPR [odds ratio (OR) 0.97, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.96-0.99; P = 0.001] in non-AMI patients, not in AMI patients (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.96-1.01; P = 0.138). The HPR was associated with the increased risk of composite outcomes in both non-AMI and AMI patients (all-P < 0.05). AIP levels were not independently associated with the risk of composite outcomes in both patients with non-AMI and AMI. In conclusion, an inverse association between AIP and the risk of HPR was observed in patients with non-AMI. This suggests that the association between plasma atherogenicity and platelet reactivity may play a substantial role in the development of AMI.Trial registration: NCT04734028.

Platelet-fibrin clot strength and platelet reactivity predicting cardiovascular events after percutaneous coronary interventions.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Platelet-fibrin clot strength (PFCS) is linked to major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) risk. However, the association between PFCS and platelet reactivity and their prognostic implication remains uncertain in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: In PCI-treated patients (n = 2512) from registry data from January 2010 to November 2018 in South Korea, PFCS using thromboelastography and platelet reactivity using VerifyNow were measured. High PFCS (PFCSHigh) was defined as thromboelastography maximal amplitude ≥ 68 mm, and high platelet reactivity (HPR) was defined as >208 P2Y12 reaction units. Patients were stratified into four groups according to maximal amplitude and P2Y12 reaction unit levels: (i) normal platelet reactivity (NPR)-PFCSNormal (31.8%), (ii) HPR-PFCSNormal (29.0%), (iii) NPR-PFCSHigh (18.1%), and (iv) HPR-PFCSHigh (21.1%). Major adverse cardiovascular event (all-cause death, myocardial infarction, or stroke) and major bleeding were followed up to 4 years. RESULTS: High platelet reactivity and PFCSHigh showed an additive effect for clinical outcomes (log-rank test, P < .001). Individuals with NPR-PFCSNormal, NPR-PFCSHigh, HPR-PFCSNormal, and HPR-PFCSHigh demonstrated MACE incidences of 7.5%, 12.6%, 13.4%, and 19.3%, respectively. The HPR-PFCSHigh group showed significantly higher risks of MACE compared with the NPR-PFCSNormal group [adjusted hazard ratio (HRadj) 1.89; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23-2.91; P = .004] and the HPR-PFCSNormal group (HRadj 1.60; 95% CI 1.12-2.27; P = .009). Similar results were observed for all-cause death. Compared with HPR-PFCSNormal phenotype, NPR-PFCSNormal phenotype was associated with a higher risk of major bleeding (HRadj 3.12; 95% CI 1.30-7.69; P = .010). CONCLUSIONS: In PCI patients, PFCS and platelet reactivity demonstrated important relationships in predicting clinical prognosis. Their combined assessment may enhance post-PCI risk stratification for personalized antithrombotic therapy.

Association of Age- and Body Mass Index-Stratified High On-Treatment Platelet Reactivity With Coronary Intervention Outcomes in East Asian Patients.

BACKGROUND: Although age and body mass index (BMI) significantly affect platelet reactivity units and clinical outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention, there are limited data on the relationship between high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HPR) and clinical outcomes on age and BMI differences. Thus, we investigated the association of HPR with clinical outcomes according to age and BMI. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study analyzed 11 714 patients who underwent platelet function tests after percutaneous coronary intervention. The primary end point was the occurrence of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs), whereas the secondary end point was major bleeding. HPR was defined as platelet reactivity units ≥252. Patients were categorized by age (<67 years of age or ≥67 years of age) and BMI (≤22.6 kg/m2 or >22.6 kg/m2). Patients <67 years of age with HPR had increases in both MACCEs (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.436 [95% CI, 1.106-1.867]; P=0.007) and major bleeding (adjusted HR, 1.584 [95% CI, 1.095-2.290]; P=0.015) compared with the those with non-HPR, respectively. In patients ≥67 years of age with HPR, there were no differences in MACCEs, but there was a decrease in major bleeding (adjusted HR, 0.721 [95% CI, 0.542-0.959]; P=0.024). Meanwhile, patients with HPR with BMI >22.6 kg/m2 had increases in MACCEs (adjusted HR, 1.387 [95% CI, 1.140-1.688]; P=0.001). No differences were shown in major bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: HPR was linked to an increase in MACCEs or a decrease in major bleeding in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention, depending on age and BMI. This study is the first to observe that clinical outcomes in patients with HPR after percutaneous coronary intervention may vary based on age and BMI. Because the study is observational, the results should be viewed as hypothesis generating and emphasize the need for randomized clinical trials.

Timing of fractional flow reserve-guided complete revascularization in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction with multivessel disease: Rationale and design of the OPTION-STEMI trial.

BACKGROUND: Current guidelines recommend complete revascularization (CR) in hemodynamically stable patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and multivessel coronary artery disease (MVD). With regard to the timing of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for non-infarct-related artery (non-IRA), recent randomized clinical trials have revealed that immediate CR was non-inferior to staged CR. However, the optimal timing of CR remains uncertain. The OPTION-STEMI trial compared immediate CR and in-hospital staged CR guided by fractional flow reserve (FFR) for intermediate stenosis of the non-IRA. METHODS: The OPTION-STEMI is a multicenter, investigator-initiated, prospective, open-label, non-inferiority randomized clinical trial. The study included patients with at least 1 non-IRA lesion with ≥50% stenosis by visual estimation. Patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were randomized into 2 groups at a 1:1 ratio: immediate CR (i.e., PCI for the non-IRA performed during primary angioplasty) or in-hospital staged CR. In the in-hospital staged CR group, PCI for non-IRA lesions was performed on another day during the index hospitalization. Non-IRA lesions with 50%-69% stenosis by visual estimation were evaluated by FFR, whereas those with ≥70% stenosis was revascularized without FFR. The primary endpoint was the composite of all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and all unplanned revascularization at 1 year after randomization. Enrolment began in December 2019 and was completed in January 2024. The follow-up for the primary endpoint will be completed in January 2025, and primary results will be available in the middle of 2025. CONCLUSIONS: The OPTION-STEMI is a multicenter, non-inferiority, randomized trial that evaluated the timing of in-hospital CR with the aid of FFR in patients with STEMI and MVD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: https://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov. Unique identifier: NCT04626882; and URL: https://cris.nih.go.kr. Unique identifier: KCT0004457.

Long-acting cilostazol versus isosorbide mononitrate for patients with vasospastic angina: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Cilostazol has a vasodilatory function that may be beneficial for patients with vasospastic angina (VSA). We conducted a randomized, open-label, controlled trial to compare the efficacy and safety of long-acting cilostazol and isosorbide mononitrate (ISMN) for VSA. METHODS: The study included patients with confirmed VSA between September 2019 and May 2021. Participants were randomly assigned to receive long-acting cilostazol (test group, 200 mg once daily) or conventional ISMN therapy (control group, 20 mg twice daily) for 4 weeks. The clinical efficacy and safety were evaluated using weekly questionnaires. RESULTS: Forty patients were enrolled in the study (long-acting cilostazol, n  = 20; ISMN, n  = 20). Baseline characteristics were balanced between the two groups. Long acting cilostazol showed better angina symptom control within the first week compared to ISMN [reduction of pain intensity score, 6.0 (4.0-8.0) vs. 4.0 (1.0-5.0), P  = 0.005; frequency of angina symptom, 0 (0-2.0) vs. 2.0 (0-3.0), P  = 0.027, respectively]. The rate of neurological adverse reactions was lower in the cilostazol group than in the ISMN group (headache or dizziness, 40 vs. 85%, P  = 0.009; headache, 30 vs. 70%, P  = 0.027). CONCLUSION: Long-acting cilostazol provided comparable control of angina and fewer adverse neurologic reactions within 4 weeks compared to ISMN. Long-acting cilostazol provides more intensive control of angina within 1 week, suggesting that it may be an initial choice for the treatment of VSA.

Prognostic Implication of Platelet Reactivity According to Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction Status in Patients Treated With Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation: Analysis of the PTRG-DES Consortium.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) often exhibit reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). However, the impact of LV dysfunction status in conjunction with platelet reactivity on clinical outcomes has not been previously investigated. METHODS: From the multicenter PTRG-DES (Platelet function and genoType-Related long-term prognosis in DES-treated patients) consortium, the patients were classified as preserved-EF (PEF: LVEF ≥ 50%) and reduced-EF (REF: LVEF< 5 0%) group by echocardiography. Platelet reactivity was measured using VerifyNow P2Y12 assay and high platelet reactivity (HPR) was defined as PRU ≥ 252. The major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) were a composite of death, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis and stroke at 5 years after PCI. Major bleeding was defined as Bleeding Academic Research Consortium bleeding types 3-5. RESULTS: A total of 13,160 patients from PTRG-DES, 9,319 (79.6%) patients with the results of both PRU and LVEF were analyzed. The incidence of MACCE and major bleeding was higher in REF group as compared with PEF group (MACCEs: hazard ratio [HR] 2.17, P < 0.001, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.85-2.55; major bleeding: HR 1.78, P < 0.001, 95% CI 1.39-2.78). The highest rate of MACCEs was found in patients with REF and HPR, and the difference between the groups was statistically significant (HR 3.14 in REF(+)/HPR(+) vs. PEF(+)/HPR(-) group, P < 0.01, 95% CI 2.51-3.91). The frequency of major bleeding was not associated with the HPR in either group. CONCLUSION: LV dysfunction was associated with an increased incidence of MACCEs and major bleeding in patients who underwent PCI. The HPR status further exhibited significant increase of MACCEs in patients with LV dysfunction in a large, real-world registry. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04734028.

High platelet reactivity strongly predicts early stent thrombosis in patients with drug-eluting stent implantation.

Stent thrombosis (ST) is a fatal complication after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The association between P2Y12 reaction unit (PRU) level and stent thrombosis occurrence remains unclear. Based on the multicenter, observational PTRG-DES (Platelet function and genoType-Related long-term proGnosis in DES-treated patients) registry of patients with drug-eluting stents (DES) implantation, a total of 11,714 patients with PRU values were analyzed. We sought to identify the predictors of early stent thrombosis (EST) and compared the primary outcome, a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and revascularization, between EST and non-EST groups. EST, defined as definite ST within 1 month after index PCI, occurred in 51 patients. PRU values were significantly higher in the EST group (263.5 ± 70.8 vs. 217.5 ± 78.7, p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, PRU ≥ 252 (OR, 5.10; 95% CI 1.58-16.46; p = 0.006) and aspirin reaction unit ≥ 414 (OR 4.85; 95% CI 1.07-21.97; p = 0.040) were independent predictors of EST. The cumulative incidence of primary composite outcome at one year was significantly higher in the EST group (38.2% vs. 3.9%, Log-rank p < 0.001). In patients treated with clopidogrel after successful DES implantation, EST was associated with higher platelet reactivities, and a greater risk of cardiovascular events.Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT04734028.

Implication of diabetic status on platelet reactivity and clinical outcomes after drug-eluting stent implantation: results from the PTRG-DES consortium.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with thrombogenicity, clinically manifested with atherothrombotic events after percutaneous cutaneous intervention (PCI). This study aimed to investigate association between DM status and platelet reactivity, and their prognostic implication in PCI-treated patients. METHODS: The Platelet function and genoType-Related long-term Prognosis-Platelet Function Test (PTRG-PFT) cohort was established to determine the linkage of platelet function test (PFT) with long-term prognosis during dual antiplatelet therapy including clopidogrel in patients treated with drug-eluting stent (DES). We assessed platelet reactivity using VerifyNow and 'high platelet reactivity (HPR)' was defined as ≥ 252 P2Y12 reaction unit (PRU). Major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event (MACCE) was a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis or stroke. RESULTS: Between July 2003 and Aug 2018, DES-treated patients with available PFT were enrolled (n = 11,714). Diabetic patients demonstrated significant higher levels of platelet reactivity (DM vs. non-DM: 225.7 ± 77.5 vs. 213.6 ± 79.1 PRU, P < 0.001) and greater prevalence of HPR compared to non-diabetic patients (38.1% vs. 32.0%, P < 0.001). PRU level and prevalence of HPR were significantly associated with insulin requirement and HbA1c level, as well as diabetic status. DM status and HPR phenotype had a similar prognostic implication, which showed the synergistic clinical impact on MACCE. Association between PRU level and MACCE occurrence seemed higher in diabetic vs. non-diabetic patients. In non-DM patients, HPR phenotype did not significantly increase the risk of MACCE (adjusted hazard ratio [HRadj]: 1.073; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.869-1.325; P = 0.511), whereas HPR was an independent determinant for MACCE occurrence among diabetic patients (HRadj: 1.507; 95% CI: 1.193-1.902; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The levels of on-clopidogrel platelet reactivity are determined by diabetic status and the severity of DM. In addition, HPR phenotype significantly increases the risk of MACCE only in diabetic patients. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: https://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov . Unique identifier: NCT04734028.

High Platelet Reactivity Combined with CYP2C19 Genotype in Predicting Outcomes in East Asian Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Loss-of-function (LoF) alleles of cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19), which are prevalent in East Asians, are linked to high platelet reactivity (HPR) phenotype and poor prognosis. We aimed to investigate the incremental predictive value of HPR combined with CYP2C19 genotype in predicting outcomes after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation. The patients treated with platelet function and genotype-related long-term prognosis in drug-eluting stent (PTRG-DES) consortium enrolled a total of 13,160 Korean patients treated with DES who had platelet function test (PFT) or CYP2C19 genotype, of which, 6,717 patients with PFT and genotype together were categorized. HPR was defined as VerifyNow ≥ 252 P2Y12 reaction unit. The primary outcome was the incidence of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event (MACCE) 5 years after treatment. The patients with both HPR and CYP2C19 LoF/LoF had the highest MACCE rates (6.2%) and increased MACCE risk (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.89, 95% confidence interval: 1.20-2.91, P = 0.006) compared with those without both HPR and CYP2C19 LoF/LoF. There was no effect of interaction between HPR and CYP2C19 genotype on the primary outcome (P = 0.424). Adding combined HPR and CYP2C19 genotype to the conventional model had an incremental influence in predicting MACCE and stent thrombosis. Compared to the model including HPR or CYP2C19 genotype alone, a combination model significantly improved the risk stratification for stent thrombosis but not MACCE. In DES-treated East Asian patients, the combined evaluation of PFT results and CYP2C19 genotyping might improve risk prediction of ischemic events during clopidogrel treatment.

Drug-coated balloon-based versus drug-eluting stent-only revascularization in patients with diabetes and multivessel coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Data on drug-coated balloon (DCB) treatment in the context of diabetes mellitus (DM) and multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD) are limited. We aimed to investigate the clinical impact of DCB-based revascularization on percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with DM and multivessel CAD. METHODS: A total of 254 patients with multivessel disease (104 patients with DM) successfully treated with DCB alone or combined with drug-eluting stent (DES) were retrospectively enrolled (DCB-based group) and compared with 254 propensity-matched patients treated with second-generation DES from the PTRG-DES registry (n = 13,160 patients) (DES-only group). Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) comprised cardiac death, myocardial infarction, stroke, stent or target lesion thrombosis, target vessel revascularization, and major bleeding at 2 years. RESULTS: The DCB-based group was associated with a reduced risk of MACE in patients with DM (hazard ratio [HR] 0.19, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.05-0.68, p = 0.003], but not in those without DM (HR 0.52, 95% CI 0.20-1.38, p = 0.167) at the 2-year follow-up. In patients with DM, the risk of cardiac death was lower in the DCB-based group than the DES-only group, but not in those without DM. In both patients with or without DM, the burdens of DES and small DES (less than 2.5 mm) used were lower in the DCB-based group than in the DES-only group. CONCLUSIONS: In multivessel CAD, the clinical benefit of a DCB-based revascularization strategy appears to be more evident in patients with DM than in those without DM after 2 years of follow-up. (Impact of Drug-Coated Balloon Treatment in De Novo Coronary Lesion; NCT04619277).

Long-Term Clinical Outcomes of Drug-Coated Balloon Treatment for De Novo Coronary Lesions.

PURPOSE: Data are limited on the long-term efficacy and safety of drug-coated balloon (DCB) treatment in comparison to drug-eluting stent (DES) for de novo coronary lesions. We investigated the long-term clinical outcomes of DCB treatment in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for de novo coronary lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 103 patients scheduled for elective PCI for de novo non-small coronary lesions (≥2.5 mm) who were successfully treated with DCB alone were retrospectively compared with 103 propensity-matched patients treated with second-generation DES from the PTRG-DES registry (n=13160). All patients were followed for 5 years. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events [MACE; cardiac death, myocardial infarction, stroke, target lesion thrombosis, target vessel revascularization (TVR), and major bleeding] at 5 years. RESULTS: At 5-year clinical follow-up, Kaplan-Meier estimates of the rate of MACE were significantly lower in the DCB group [2.9% vs. 10.7%; hazard ratio (HR): 0.26; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.07-0.96; log-rank p=0.027]. There was a significantly lower incidence of TVR in the DCB group (1.0% vs. 7.8%; HR: 0.12; 95% CI: 0.01-0.98; long-rank p=0.015), and there was major bleeding only in the DES group (0.0% vs. 1.9%; log-rank p=0.156). CONCLUSION: At 5-year follow-up, DCB treatment was significantly associated with reduced incidences of MACE and TVR, compared with DES implantation, for de novo coronary lesions.

Sex Differences in Midterm Prognostic Implications of High Platelet Reactivity After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Drug-Eluting Stents in East Asian Patients: Results From the PTRG-DES (Platelet Function and Genotype-Related Long-Term Prognosis in Drug-Eluting Stent-Treated Patients With Coronary Artery Disease) Consortium.

Background Although high platelet reactivity (HPR) on clopidogrel is associated with higher ischemic events and lower bleeding events in patients who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention with drug-eluting stents, the differential risk of HPR in East Asian women versus men is unknown. Methods and Results We compared 11 714 patients enrolled in the PTRG-DES (Platelet Function and Genotype-Related Long-Term Prognosis in Drug-Eluting Stent-Treated Patients With Coronary Artery Disease) Consortium according to sex and the presence/absence of HPR on clopidogrel (defined as ≥252 P2Y12 reactivity units). The primary study end point was major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs; comprising all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident, and stent thrombosis). HPR was more common in women (46.7%) than in men (28.1%). In propensity-adjusted models, HPR was an independent predictor of MACCEs (men with HPR: hazard ratio [HR], 1.60 [95% CI, 1.20-2.12]; women with HPR: HR, 0.99 [95% CI, 0.69-1.42]) and all-cause mortality (men with HPR: HR, 1.61 [95% CI, 1.07-2.44]; women with HPR: HR, 0.92 [95% CI, 0.57-1.50]) in men, although those associations were insignificant among women. In addition, a significant interaction between sex was noted in the associations between HPR and MACCE (Pinteraction=0.013) or all-cause mortality (Pinteraction=0.025). Conclusions In this study, HPR was a differential risk factor for 1-year MACCEs and all-cause mortality in women and men. And it was an independent predictor of 1-year MACCEs and all-cause mortality in men but not in women. Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT04734028. Registered July 9, 2003, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04734028.

Efficacy and safety of moderate-intensity statin with ezetimibe combination therapy in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention: a post-hoc analysis of the RACING trial.

Background: Moderate-intensity statin role with ezetimibe combination therapy following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has not been thoroughly investigated, particularly compared to high-intensity statin monotherapy. We aimed to investigate the effect of ezetimibe combination with moderate-intensity statin in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease following PCI. Methods: This was a post-hoc analysis of a subset of patients who underwent PCI in the RACING trial. At 26 centres in South Korea, patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) were randomly assigned to receive either moderate-intensity statin with ezetimibe combination therapy (rosuvastatin 10 mg with ezetimibe 10 mg) or high-intensity statin monotherapy (rosuvastatin 20 mg). The prespecified endpoints of the RACING trial were used. The primary endpoint was the 3-year composite of cardiovascular death, major cardiovascular events, and nonfatal stroke. Event rates between the two groups were compared using log-rank tests, and hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using Cox regression analysis. Consistent with the RACING trial, the primary and secondary efficacy endpoints were evaluated using an intention-to-treatment approach, and the safety endpoints were assessed in the safety population. The RACING trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03044665). Findings: Between Feb 14, 2017, and Dec 18, 2018, 3780 participants were enrolled in the RACING trial. Prior history of PCI was found in 2497 patients (67%, median 64 years, 79% male), and was associated with higher rates of the primary endpoint (hazard ratio [HR], 1.34; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-1.69; p = 0.014). Among patients with prior PCI, moderate-intensity statin therapy with ezetimibe combination versus high-intensity statin therapy did not increase the risk of the primary endpoint (HR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.74-1.24; p = 0.781). The proportion of patients with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) <70 mg/dL at 1, 2, and 3 years was 74%, 76%, and 73%, respectively, in the combination therapy group, and was significantly higher than that in the high-intensity statin monotherapy group (57%, 62%, and 59%, respectively, all p < 0.001). Discontinuation of lipid-lowering drugs occurred less frequently in the combination group (4.2% vs. 7.6%, p = 0.001). Interpretation: The effects of ezetimibe combination therapy observed in the RACING trial were consistently preserved among patients with ASCVD following PCI. Ezetimibe combination could be considered as a suitable therapeutic strategy to achieve strict control of LDL-C and reduce drug intolerance in patients who underwent PCI. Funding: Hanmi Pharmaceutical, Seoul, South Korea.

Influence of an abnormal ankle-brachial index on ischemic and bleeding events in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Bleeding events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have important prognostic implications. Data on the influence of an abnormal ankle-brachial index (ABI) on both ischemic and bleeding events in patients undergoing PCI are limited. METHODS: We included patients who underwent PCI with available ABI data (abnormal ABI, ≤ 0.9 or > 1.4). The primary endpoint was the composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and major bleeding. RESULTS: Among 4,747 patients, an abnormal ABI was observed in 610 patients (12.9%). During follow-up (median, 31 months), the 5-year cumulative incidence of adverse clinical events was higher in the abnormal ABI group than in the normal ABI group: primary endpoint (36.0% vs. 14.5%, log-rank test, p < 0.001); all-cause death (19.4% vs. 5.1%, log-rank test, p < 0.001); MI (6.3% vs. 4.1%, log-rank test, p = 0.013); stroke (6.2% vs. 2.7%, log-rank test, p = 0.001); and major bleeding (8.9% vs. 3.7%, log-rank test, p < 0.001). An abnormal ABI was an independent risk factor for all-cause death (hazard ratio [HR], 3.05; p < 0.001), stroke (HR, 1.79; p = 0.042), and major bleeding (HR, 1.61; p = 0.034). CONCLUSION: An abnormal ABI is a risk factor for both ischemic and bleeding events after PCI. Our study findings may be helpful in determining the optimal method for secondary prevention after PCI.

Clinical Impact of CYP2C19 Genotype on Clopidogrel-Based Antiplatelet Therapy After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

BACKGROUND: Although there is a growing body of evidence that CYP2C19 genotyping can be beneficial when considering treatment with clopidogrel after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), whether a genotype-guided strategy can be generally adopted in routine practice remains unclear among East Asians. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to investigate long-term outcomes of patients undergoing clopidogrel-based antiplatelet therapy after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation according to CYP2C19 genotypes. METHODS: From the nationwide multicenter PTRG-DES (Platelet function and genoType-Related long-term proGnosis in DES-treated patients) consortium, patients who underwent CYP2C19 genotyping were selected and classified according to CYP2C19 loss-of-function allele: rapid metabolizers (RMs) or normal metabolizers (NMs) vs intermediate metabolizers (IMs) or poor metabolizers (PMs). The primary outcome was a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and stent thrombosis at 5 years after the index procedure. RESULTS: Of 8,163 patients with CYP2C19 genotyping, 56.7% presented with acute coronary syndrome. There were 3,098 (37.9%) in the RM or NM group, 3,906 (47.9%) in the IM group, and 1,159 (14.2%) in the PM group. IMs or PMs were associated with an increased risk of 5-year primary outcome compared with RMs or NMs (HRadj: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.01-1.98; P = 0.041), and the effect was more pronounced in the first year (HRadj: 1.67; 95% CI: 1.10-2.55; P = 0.016). The prognostic implication of being an IM and PM was significant in acute coronary syndrome patients (HRadj: 1.88; 95% CI: 1.20-2.93; P = 0.005) but not in those with stable angina (HRadj: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.54-1.55; P = 0.751) (interaction P = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS: Among East Asians with clopidogrel-based antiplatelet therapy after DES implantation, CYP2C19 genotyping could stratify patients who were likely to have an increased risk of atherothrombotic events. (Platelet Function and genoType-Related Long-term progGosis in DES-treated Patients: A Consortium From Multi-centered Registries [PTRG-DES]; NCT04734028).

Prognostic impact of hypercoagulability and impaired fibrinolysis in acute myocardial infarction.

AIMS: Atherothrombotic events are influenced by systemic hypercoagulability and fibrinolytic activity. The present study evaluated thrombogenicity indices and their prognostic implications according to disease acuity. METHODS AND RESULTS: From the consecutive patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), those with thrombogenicity indices (n = 2705) were grouped according to disease acuity [acute myocardial infarction (AMI) vs. non-AMI]. Thrombogenicity indices were measured by thromboelastography (TEG). Blood samples for TEG were obtained immediately after insertion of the PCI sheath, and TEG tracing was performed within 4 h post-sampling. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE, a composite of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and non-fatal stroke) were evaluated for up to 4 years. Compared with non-AMI patients, AMI patients had higher platelet-fibrin clot strength [maximal amplitude (MA): 66.5 ± 7.8 vs. 65.3 ± 7.2 mm, P < 0.001] and lower fibrinolytic activity [clot lysis at 30 min (LY30): 0.9 ± 1.8% vs. 1.1 ± 1.9%, P < 0.001]. Index AMI presentation was associated with MA [per one-mm increase: odds ratio (OR): 1.024; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.013-1.036; P < 0.001] and LY30 (per one% increase: OR: 0.934; 95% CI: 0.893-0.978; P = 0.004). The presence of high platelet-fibrin clot strength (MA ≥68 mm) and low fibrinolytic activity (LY30 < 0.2%) was synergistically associated with MACE occurrence. In the multivariable analysis, the combined phenotype of 'MA ≥ 68 mm' and 'LY30 < 0.2%' was a major predictor of post-PCI MACE in the AMI group [adjusted hazard ratio (HR): 1.744; 95% CI: 1.135-2.679; P = 0.011], but not in the non-AMI group (adjusted HR: 1.031; 95% CI: 0.499-2.129; P = 0.935). CONCLUSION: AMI occurrence is significantly associated with hypercoagulability and impaired fibrinolysis. Their combined phenotype increases the risk of post-PCI atherothrombotic event only in AMI patients. These observations may support individualized therapy that targets thrombogenicity for better outcomes in patients with AMI. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Gyeongsang National University Hospital (G-NUH) Registry, NCT04650529.