Validation and comparison of non-hyperemic pressure reserve to fractional flow reserve for assessment of coronary artery stenosis: A real world study.

BACKGROUND: The visual interpretation of an angiographic stenosis may not always reflect the physiological significance of a lesion. Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) is a reliable index to assess the significance of a lesion during hyperemia. However, there are pitfalls that can lead to significant misinterpretation and adverse events. OBJECTIVE: This study sought to evaluate the accuracy and predictability of the non-hyperaemic pressure ratio (NHPR) without hyperemic stimuli, compared to hyperemic FFR. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, multicenter study of 700 patients who underwent a pressure recording during coronary angiography using NHPR and FFR measurements. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed. NHPR sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy test were calculated. The most accurate NHPR cutoff was determined. RESULTS: Of the 700 procedures, 449 cases were included. By ROC analysis, the optimal cut-point for NHPR was 0.93 to predict an FFR of ≤0.80 with an overall diagnostic accuracy of 78.84%. The sensitivity of this NHPR cutoff was 85.06%, specificity of 75.59%, PPV of 64.53% and a NPV of 90.65%. There was an overall accuracy of about 80% for predicting non-hyperemic index (FFR < 0.80) using a cutoff of NHPR ≤ 0.93. CONCLUSIONS: The use of NHPR can be considered in certain clinical scenarios where adenosine is contraindicated or there are other challenges; with the knowledge that hyperemia might be necessary if there is any high clinical suspicion as it still remains the reference standard for diagnostic certainty.

Routine Angiographic Follow-Up After Coronary Artery Disease Revascularization: Is Seeing Believing?

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW: Coronary artery disease is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in the world, and PCI and CABG account for over a million procedures performed annually in the USA. The goal of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is to achieve complete revascularization (CR) if at all possible. However, restenosis and stent thrombosis (ST) remain the Achilles heel of contemporary PCI with restenosis rates between 10 and 30% with bare metal stents to 5-15% after drug-eluting stents and ST rates of around 0.8 vs 1.2%, respectively. Routine angiography after revascularization seems theoretically attractive as this may allow intervention before clinical events occur. In this manuscript, we review the literature regarding routine angiography after PCI or CABG and its outcomes. RECENT FINDINGS: According to the 2016 update from the American Heart Association (AHA), 15.5 million people above the age of 20 have coronary heart disease (CHD) in the USA. The prevalence of CHD is now almost similar in both men and women, and one American suffers from a myocardial infarction (MI) every 42 s. Recent data from randomized clinical trials and observational studies does not support the use of routine coronary angiography after revascularization in asymptomatic patients. There are some studies which show that routine angiography may have a role in left main or complex coronary interventions; however, these findings are exploratory and were not seen in randomized trials. After reviewing the data on routine angiography after coronary revascularization, we came to the conclusion that current data does not support the use of routine angiography for asymptomatic patients. However, there is a lack of randomized controlled trial in this field with only one recent trial reporting negative outcomes.

Nonemergency PCI at hospitals with or without on-site cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: Emergency surgery has become a rare event after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Whether having cardiac-surgery services available on-site is essential for ensuring the best possible outcomes during and after PCI remains uncertain. METHODS: We enrolled patients with indications for nonemergency PCI who presented at hospitals in Massachusetts without on-site cardiac surgery and randomly assigned these patients, in a 3:1 ratio, to undergo PCI at that hospital or at a partner hospital that had cardiac surgery services available. A total of 10 hospitals without on-site cardiac surgery and 7 with on-site cardiac surgery participated. The coprimary end points were the rates of major adverse cardiac events--a composite of death, myocardial infarction, repeat revascularization, or stroke--at 30 days (safety end point) and at 12 months (effectiveness end point). The primary end points were analyzed according to the intention-to-treat principle and were tested with the use of multiplicative noninferiority margins of 1.5 (for safety) and 1.3 (for effectiveness). RESULTS: A total of 3691 patients were randomly assigned to undergo PCI at a hospital without on-site cardiac surgery (2774 patients) or at a hospital with on-site cardiac surgery (917 patients). The rates of major adverse cardiac events were 9.5% in hospitals without on-site cardiac surgery and 9.4% in hospitals with on-site cardiac surgery at 30 days (relative risk, 1.00; 95% one-sided upper confidence limit, 1.22; P<0.001 for noninferiority) and 17.3% and 17.8%, respectively, at 12 months (relative risk, 0.98; 95% one-sided upper confidence limit, 1.13; P<0.001 for noninferiority). The rates of death, myocardial infarction, repeat revascularization, and stroke (the components of the primary end point) did not differ significantly between the groups at either time point. CONCLUSIONS: Nonemergency PCI procedures performed at hospitals in Massachusetts without on-site surgical services were noninferior to procedures performed at hospitals with on-site surgical services with respect to the 30-day and 1-year rates of clinical events. (Funded by the participating hospitals without on-site cardiac surgery; MASS COM ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01116882.).

Differential outcomes after sirolimus-eluting stent implantation: comparing on-label versus off-label patients in the 'real world'.

BACKGROUND: Randomized controlled trials indicate that sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) reduce the rates of restenosis and need for subsequent revascularization procedures, but patients enrolled in randomized trials represent a highly selected population. This study examined the performance of SES in a 'real world' setting by comparing the outcomes of trial-eligible versus ineligible patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. METHODS: From the US commercial introduction of SES in April 2003 until December 2003, all patients that received an SES at our institution were followed in a prospective registry (n=838). For the purpose of this analysis, the registry population was divided into two groups based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the stenosis in a native coronary artery (SIRIUS) trial. The primary endpoint of the study was the rate of target lesion revascularization (TLR) at follow-up. Secondary endpoints included major adverse cardiac events (MACE) such as cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization. Clinical follow-up was complete for 92% of patients with a median duration of 14.2 months. RESULTS: Overall, 296 patients (35.3%) met entry criteria for the SIRIUS trial and thus comprised the SIRIUS eligible group. Patients in the SIRIUS ineligible group (n=542) were more likely to have chronic kidney disease and earlier bypass surgery and had longer mean stent length. At 1 year, TLR occurred in 3.0% of the SIRIUS eligible population and in 9.2% of the SIRIUS ineligible group (P=0.001). The secondary endpoint of cumulative MACE occurred in 6.6% of the SIRIUS eligible versus in 17.7% of the SIRIUS ineligible population (P<0.001). Two patients (0.4%) in the SIRIUS ineligible group had a late stent thrombosis on days 39 and 99, respectively, versus none in the SIRIUS eligible group. CONCLUSION: Among 'real world' patients treated with SES, the incidence of TLR and MACE at 1 year was substantially greater among SIRIUS ineligible patients compared with SIRIUS eligible patients. These findings confirm that pivotal clinical trials of drug-eluting stents tend to enroll low-risk patients and that the estimated rates of TLR and MACE derived from such trials may not reflect subsequent outcomes with unrestricted clinical use.

Hospital delays in reperfusion for ST-elevation myocardial infarction: implications when selecting a reperfusion strategy.

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that the survival benefit associated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction may be attenuated if door-to-balloon (DB) time is delayed by >1 hour beyond door-to-needle (DN) times for fibrinolytic therapy. Whereas DB times are rapid in randomized trials, they are often prolonged in routine practice. We hypothesized that in clinical practice, longer DB-DN times would be associated with higher mortality rates and reduced PPCI survival advantage. We also hypothesized that in addition to PPCI delays, patient risk factors would significantly modulate the relative survival advantage of PPCI over fibrinolysis. METHODS AND RESULTS: DB-DN times were calculated by subtracting median DN time from median DB time at a hospital using data from 192,509 patients at 645 National Registry of Myocardial Infarction hospitals. Hierarchical models that adjusted simultaneously for both patient-level risk factors and hospital-level covariates were used to evaluate the relationship between PCI-related delay, patient risk factors, and in-hospital mortality. Longer DB-DN times were associated with increased mortality (P<0.0001). The DB-DN time at which mortality rates with PPCI were no better than that of fibrinolysis varied considerably depending on patient age, symptom duration, and infarct location. CONCLUSIONS: As DB-DN times increase, the mortality advantage of PPCI over fibrinolysis declines, and this advantage varies considerably depending on patient characteristics. As indicated in the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines, both the hospital-based PPCI-related delay (DB-DN time) and patient characteristics should be considered when a reperfusion strategy is selected.

Comparison of outcomes using sirolimus-eluting stenting in diabetic versus nondiabetic patients with comparison of insulin versus non-insulin therapy in the diabetic patients.

The effect of insulin therapy on adverse cardiovascular outcomes in diabetic patients has been debated and a reduced benefit in clinical restenosis outcomes after sirolimus stenting has been reported among diabetic patients requiring insulin therapy. We analyzed 297 diabetic patients receiving sirolimus-eluting stents, including 115 (39%) on insulin therapy, and compared outcomes with 541 nondiabetic patients treated consecutively during the same interval. The rates of target lesion revascularization (9.5% vs 3.5%, p = 0.003) and cardiac death or myocardial infarction (MI, 7.1% vs 3.1%, p = 0.012) were significantly higher for diabetic patients. Insulin treatment was independently associated with increased risk for target lesion revascularization (odds ratio [OR] 2.48, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.22 to 5.00) and cardiac death or MI (hazard ratio [HR] 2.85, 95% CI 1.41 to 5.77), whereas the adjusted risk for diabetic patients not treated with insulin was not significantly different from patients without diabetes for target lesion revascularization (OR 1.32, 95% CI 0.66 to 2.62) or cardiac death or MI (HR 1.04, 95% CI 0.50 to 2.17). In conclusion, diabetes mellitus is associated with increased risk for target lesion revascularization and cardiac death or MI after receiving sirolimus-eluting stenting, and is significantly exaggerated by the requirement for insulin therapy.

Effect of diabetes mellitus on five-year clinical outcomes after single-vessel coronary stenting (a pooled analysis of coronary stent clinical trials).

Diabetes mellitus (DM) increases the risk of clinically driven, repeat revascularization of the stented lesion in the first year after coronary stenting. The effect of DM on the risk of repeat revascularization of the stented lesion beyond 1 year, revascularization at other coronary sites, and clinical outcomes of cardiac death and myocardial infarction (MI) has not been reported. We pooled primary data from 4 multicenter trials of second-generation coronary stents that included 1,228 patients, 263 of whom (21%) had DM. Patients were followed annually to assess for prespecified end points, including repeat revascularization procedures, death, or MI. Repeat revascularization of the stented lesion was performed more frequently during the first year in patients with DM (16.0% vs 10.9%, p = 0.01) but decreased to a low frequency (1.8% vs 1.3% per year) thereafter in patients with and without DM. Repeat revascularization of other coronary segments was more frequent in patients with DM during the first and subsequent years (5-year rates, 32.2% vs 24.1%, p = 0.005). Cardiac death or MI was also more frequent among patients with DM (5-year rates, 25.4% vs 17.9%, p = 0.008) and remained significant after adjustment for all differences in baseline characteristics (hazard ratio 1.5, 95% confidence interval 1.1 to 2.0, p = 0.01). In conclusion, diabetic patients are at increased risk for revascularization of the stented lesion only in the first year after single-lesion stenting but are at increased risk for other clinical events, including cardiac death and MI, over the next 4 years.

Drug-eluting stents and stent thrombosis: a cause for concern?

Drug-eluting stents, most commonly sirolimus-eluting stents and polymer-based paclitaxel-eluting stents, are now widely used during percutaneous coronary interventions, and have largely replaced bare-metal stents to treat a variety of native coronary artery and saphenous vein graft lesions. Stent thrombosis, a complication of both bare-metal and drug-eluting stents, is associated with significant morbidity and mortality including high rates of myocardial infarction and death. Recently, several studies in the literature have raised concern about increased rates of overall stent thrombosis and late stent thrombosis in drug-eluting stents in the so-called 'real world' where off-label uses of drug-eluting stents are common. Hypersensitivity reactions to the polymers used in drug-eluting stents, delayed endothelialization of the stents, and discontinuation of dual antiplatelet therapy have all been implicated in the pathophysiology of drug-eluting stents stent thrombosis. The incidence of total stent thrombosis as well as late stent thrombosis, however, does not seem to be significantly higher in drug-eluting stents than in bare-metal stents. An important risk factor for stent thrombosis in both types of stents appears to be the premature discontinuation of dual antiplatelet therapy, and physicians should educate their patients about the importance of adhering to dual antiplatelet therapy, given the dire clinical consequences of stent thrombosis.

Refractory Hypotension as an Initial Presentation of Bilateral Subclavian Artery Stenosis.

Bilateral subclavian stenosis is a rare clinical condition. An interbrachial pressure difference of 15 mm Hg can raise suspicion for unilateral subclavian artery stenosis, but the diagnosis of bilateral subclavian artery stenosis can be challenging. We present a case of a 75-year-old woman who presented with refractory hypotension after surgery. Initial vitals revealed blood pressure in the 60s/50s mm Hg in both arms. Cardiopulmonary examination was remarkable for diminished pulses in all 4 extremities and audible carotid bruits. She continued to be hypotensive despite aggressive fluid resuscitation. Troponin T peaked at 0.24 ng/mL (reference < 0.04), and an echocardiogram revealed a reduction in ejection fraction (37% from 50%). Left and right heart catheterization demonstrated normal filling pressures and cardiac output. During the procedure, however, it was noted that the patient's central blood pressure was 70-80 mm Hg higher than cuff pressures obtained in either arm. Selective angiography revealed 90% left subclavian ostial stenosis as well as 70% stenosis of the right subclavian artery.

Stent thrombosis after successful sirolimus-eluting stent implantation.

BACKGROUND: Stent thrombosis (ST) is a rare but devastating complication of coronary stent implantation, occurring in 0.5% to 1.9% of patients with bare metal stents. The incidence of ST with drug-eluting stents is less well studied, particularly among patients outside of clinical trials. METHODS AND RESULTS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and potential risk factors for ST in patients receiving sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) in the "real world" after commercial release in the United States in April 2003. All 652 patients who underwent SES implantation (776 lesions treated) at our institution between April and October 2003 were followed up prospectively after the procedure (median follow-up 100 days). During that period, 7 patients (1.1%, 95% CI 0.4% to 2.2%) developed ST within a range of 2 to 13 days, and 1 patient had an ST-elevation myocardial infarction on day 39 with evidence of thrombus within the SES at angiography. Patients with an ST had significantly smaller final nominal balloon diameters (2.75 versus 3.00 mm, P=0.04), and in 4 (57%) of the 7 patients with ST versus 1.7% of patients without ST (P<0.001), antiplatelet therapy had been discontinued after the procedure. Among the ST patients, 1 died and 5 had myocardial infarctions. CONCLUSIONS: In this single-center experience, the incidence of ST after SES implantation was approximately 1%, which is within the expected range of bare metal stents. The discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy was strongly associated with the development of ST in this patient population.

Cost-effectiveness of sirolimus-eluting stents for treatment of complex coronary stenoses: results from the Sirolimus-Eluting Balloon Expandable Stent in the Treatment of Patients With De Novo Native Coronary Artery Lesions (SIRIUS) trial.

BACKGROUND: Recently, sirolimus-eluting stents (SESs) have been shown to dramatically reduce the risk of angiographic and clinical restenosis compared with bare metal stent (BMS) implantation. However, the overall cost-effectiveness of this strategy is unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between February and August 2001, 1058 patients with complex coronary stenoses were enrolled in the SIRIUS trial and randomized to percutaneous coronary revascularization with either a SES or BMS. Clinical outcomes, resource use, and costs were assessed prospectively for all patients over a 1-year follow-up period. Initial hospital costs were increased by 2881 dollars per patient with SESs. Over the 1-year follow-up period, use of SESs led to substantial reductions in the need for repeat revascularization, including repeat percutaneous coronary intervention and bypass surgery. Although follow-up costs were reduced by 2571 dollars per patient with SESs, aggregate 1-year costs remained 309 dollars per patient higher. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for SES was 1650 dollars per repeat revascularization event avoided or 27,540 dollars per quality-adjusted year of life gained, values that compare reasonably with other accepted medical interventions. Under updated treatment assumptions regarding available stent lengths and duration of antiplatelet therapy, use of SESs was projected to reduce total 1-year costs compared with BMSs. CONCLUSIONS: Although use of SESs was not cost-saving compared with BMS implantation, for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention of complex coronary stenoses, their use appears to be reasonably cost-effective within the context of the US healthcare system.

Differential mortality risk of postprocedural creatine kinase-MB elevation following successful versus unsuccessful stent procedures.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of periprocedural myocardial infarction (MI) on mortality according to success of the stent procedure. BACKGROUND: The mortality effect of periprocedural MI relative to successful versus unsuccessful procedures has not been examined. METHODS: All-cause mortality during the first year was evaluated prospectively among 5,850 patients from coronary stent clinical trials. Myocardial infarction was classified according to creatine kinase-MB level as type 1 (>1 but <3 times normal), type 2 (>or=3 but 8 times normal or Q-wave MI). Procedures were classified as successful unless there was a final diameter stenosis >50%; final Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction flow grade <3; final National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute dissection grade >or=D; repeat revascularization within 24 h; or stent thrombosis within 24 h. RESULTS: Myocardial infarction was more frequent after unsuccessful procedures (69.6% vs. 20.4%, p < 0.001). Mortality during the first year was higher in patients with MI (2.8% vs. 1.7%, p = 0.01), but the effect was significant only for type 3 MI (4.7% vs. 1.7%, p = 0.008). Moreover, the mortality difference for any MI was confined to patients with unsuccessful procedures (13.1% vs. 0%, p = 0.03), with no significant effect among patients with otherwise successful procedures (2.1% vs. 1.7%, p > 0.20). The independent predictors of mortality were unsuccessful procedure (p < 0.001), diabetes mellitus (p = 0.001), history of prior MI (p = 0.003), multivessel disease (p = 0.006), and advancing age (p < 0.001), but not periprocedural MI. CONCLUSIONS: The association of periprocedural MI with increased mortality during the first year following stent placement was confined to patients with unsuccessful procedures.

Clinical restenosis after coronary stenting: perspectives from multicenter clinical trials.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to evaluate clinical restenosis in a large population of patients who had undergone coronary stent placement. BACKGROUND: One-year success after coronary stenting is limited mainly by restenosis of and requirement for repeat revascularization of the treated lesion. We studied 6,186 patients (6,219 lesions) pooled from several recently completed coronary stent trials. Clinical restenosis was defined using three different definitions: target lesion revascularization (TLR) beyond 30 days, target vessel revascularization (TVR) beyond 30 days, and target vessel failure (TVF), defined as TVR, any death, or myocardial infarction (MI) of the target vessel territory after hospital discharge. RESULTS: By one year, 638 (12.2%) patients had TLR, 748 (14.3%) had TVR, and 848 (16.0%) had TVF, more than two-thirds higher than the rate of these end points at six months. The severity of angiographic restenosis (> or =50% follow-up diameter stenosis [DS]) in 419 of 1,437 (29%) patients undergoing routine angiographic follow-up correlated directly with the likelihood of TLR (73% vs. 26% for >70% DS compared with <60% DS). Smaller pretreatment minimum lumen diameter (MLD), smaller final MLD, longer stent length, diabetes mellitus, unstable angina, and hypertension were independent predictors of TLR. Prior MI and current smoking were negative predictors. CONCLUSIONS: At one year after stenting, most clinical restenosis reflected TLR, which was predicted by the same variables previously associated with an increased risk of angiographic restenosis. The lower absolute rate of clinical restenosis relative to angiographic restenosis was due to infrequent TLR in lesions with less severe (<60% DS) angiographic renarrowing.

Embolic protection during saphenous vein graft intervention using a second-generation balloon protection device: results from the combined US and European pilot study of the TriActiv Balloon Protected Flush Extraction System.

BACKGROUND: Stent placement in saphenous vein bypass grafts is associated with a high incidence of myonecrosis usually resulting from embolization of thrombus and friable atheroma. Embolic protection devices reduce the incidence of adverse events after vein graft stenting. However, first-generation balloon occlusion systems are still associated with a 10% incidence of periprocedural adverse events. We report the first experience with a new second-generation balloon occlusion embolic protection device, the TriActiv Balloon Protected Flush Extraction System. METHODS: Ninety-six lesions in 78 saphenous vein grafts were treated in 74 patients. The primary end point was major adverse cardiovascular events at 30 days. RESULTS: Device success was achieved in 92% of patients, and atheromatous debris was recovered in 69% of analyzed aspirates. By 30 days, major adverse cardiovascular events, which were limited to non-Q-wave myocardial infarctions, occurred in 16.2%. Per protocol analysis in patients with device success revealed a rate of adverse events of only 5.7%. CONCLUSIONS: The initial experience with the TriActiv Balloon Protected Flush Extraction System demonstrated a high success rate and recovery of embolic debris with an acceptable rate of adverse events. A large randomized trial will compare this device to other embolic protection systems.

Effect of tirofiban before primary angioplasty on initial coronary flow and early ST-segment resolution in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Sixty-one patients with ST elevation acute myocardial infarction were randomized to receive open-label tirofiban in the emergency room before primary angioplasty versus glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors administered after initial coronary angiography. Early administration of tirofiban before primary angioplasty resulted in nonsignificant improvement in initial coronary flow (Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction trial grade 2 or 3 flow, 39% vs 27%, p >0.20). Patients receiving early tirofiban treatment were more likely to achieve complete (>70%) ST-segment resolution at 90 minutes (69% vs 44%, p = 0.07).

Effectiveness of rheolytic coronary thrombectomy with the AngioJet catheter.

Thrombus-filled lesions are associated with a higher rate of acute complications and long-term restenosis following conventional coronary or saphenous vein graft (SVG) intervention. To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of rheolytic thrombectomy in a nonselected population in the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa blockade era, we reviewed clinical, angiographic, and procedural data on 119 patients who underwent 126 consecutive coronary AngioJet procedures (29% in SVGs, and 71% in native coronary arteries) from July 1998 to August 2000. Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa blockers were used in 88%. Most vessels (68% of SVGs, 74% of native coronary arteries) were occluded initially. Complete or substantial removal of filling defects was achieved in 76% of SVGs and 66% of native coronary cases. The AngioJet rheolytic thrombectomy device led to significant improvement in lumen diameter and Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow, with reduction in the thrombotic lesion length (p <0.05). Angiographic success (<30% residual stenosis, TIMI-3) was attained in 73% of SVGs and 87% of native coronary procedures. Distal embolization occurred in 13 cases, and was less likely to occur in patients treated with abciximab (0%) compared with patients treated with other glycoprotein IIb/IIIa blockers or heparin alone (17%, p = 0.02). A favorable response to the AngioJet (odds ratio 3.9) and freedom from embolization (odds ratio 14.6) were associated with a higher procedural success rate. In-hospital and long-term clinical outcomes were favorable. Thus, rheolytic thrombectomy resulted in significant reduction of the thrombus burden in most patients, restored TIMI-3 flow, and led to favorable short- and long-term outcomes.

Mechanical thrombectomy in coronary artery and saphenous vein graft interventions: a review and case studies.

Atherosclerotic coronary lesions complicated with obstructing thrombus are associated with an increased rate of acute complications and poorer long-term patency after percutaneous balloon angioplasty. Saphenous vein graft (SVG) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has remained a daunting task given the friable nature of the large plaque burdens and unpredictable issues of embolization and no-reflow. These events are associated with increased morbidity including myocardial infarction and death. Today, in both native and autologous SVG lesions, mechanical thrombectomy has become a primary tool for removal of clot prior to PCI. Some studies have shown that mechanical thrombectomy prior to PCI is safe and effective to reduce poor outcomes with PCI in patients with acute coronary syndromes complicated by thrombus in both vein grafts and native coronary arteries.

The association between experience and proficiency with robotic-enhanced coronary intervention-insights from the PRECISE multi-center study.

OBJECTIVES: The PRECISE multi-center study demonstrated the safety and feasibility of robotic-enhanced coronary intervention (PCI). We studied the learning curve associated with the robotic PCI approach. METHODS: The CorPath 200 robotic system was used to perform clinically indicated PCI. The first 3 cases performed by each interventional cardiologist were considered early-experience cases and subsequent procedures were regarded as advanced-experience cases. We compared procedure efficiency, patient radiation exposure, and clinical outcomes in early and advanced-experience cases. RESULTS: A total of 164 robotic-enhanced PCI procedures were performed, with 60 early-experience cases. Advanced-experience cases were associated with shorter procedure duration (51.3 ± 25.5 min vs. 42.2 ± 16.4 min, P = 0.008) and fluoroscopy time (12.9 ± 7.8 min vs. 10.1 ± 4.8 min, 0.009) as compared to early-experience cases. CONCLUSIONS: After performing 3 cases, interventionalists were able to complete robotic-enhanced PCI faster, with reduced radiation, and without compromising safety. The steep learning curve highlights the easy adoption of remote-control robotic technology for PCI.