Iso-osmolar versus low-osmolar contrast media and outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention: Insights from the VA CART Program.

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether contrast media type is associated with outcomes in veterans undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). BACKGROUND: There is uncertainty about the impact of iso-osmolar contrast medium (IOCM) versus low-osmolar contrast medium (LOCM) on acute kidney injury (AKI) and other major adverse renal or cardiovascular events (MARCE) after PCI. We assessed the association between contrast media type and MARCE in patients who underwent PCI within the Veterans Administration Healthcare System. METHODS: We reviewed PCIs performed between 2009 and 2019 using data from the Veterans Affairs Clinical Assessment, Reporting, and Tracking Program. The primary endpoint was MARCE, a composite of myocardial infarction, stroke, all-cause death, AKI, and dialysis onset at 30 days. RESULTS: The analysis cohort consisted of 50,389 patients of whom 25,555 received LOCM and 24,834 received IOCM. There was significant variation in contrast type across sites. After adjustment for comorbidities, no significant association between contrast media type and MARCE was observed in both site-unadjusted (odds ratio [OR] for IOCM: 0.99; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.92-1.08; p = 0.97) and site-adjusted (OR: 1.06; 95% CI: 0.95-1.18; p = 0.30) analyses. Similar results were obtained when contrast volume was imputed or the data was subset to individuals with available contrast volume. CONCLUSION: In a large cohort of veterans undergoing PCI, we found considerable site variation in the type of contrast media used but no significant association between contrast media type and the incidence of MARCE, both before and after adjustment for the site.

Percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with stable coronary artery disease and left ventricular systolic dysfunction: insights from the VA CART program.

BACKGROUND: Revascularization of ischemic cardiomyopathy by coronary artery bypass grafting has been shown to improve survival among patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤35%, but the role of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in this context is incompletely described. This study sought to evaluate the effect of PCI on mortality and hospitalization among patients with stable coronary artery disease and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis comparing PCI with medical therapy among patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy in the Veterans Affairs Health Administration. Patients with angiographic evidence of 1 or more epicardial stenoses amenable to PCI and LVEF ≤35% were included in the analysis. Outcome data were determined by VA and non-VA data sources on mortality and hospital admission. RESULTS: From 2008 through 2015, a study sample of 4,628 patients was identified, of which 1,322 patients underwent ad hoc PCI. Patients were followed to a maximum of 3 years. Propensity score weighted landmark analysis was used to evaluate the primary and secondary outcomes. The primary outcome of all-cause mortality was significantly lower in the PCI cohort compared with medical therapy (21.6% vs 30.0%, P <.001). The secondary outcome of all-cause rehospitalization or death was also lower in the PCI cohort (76.5% vs 83.8%, P <.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective analysis of patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy with coronary artery disease amenable to PCI and LVEF ≤35%, revascularization by PCI was associated with decreased all-cause mortality and decreased all-cause death or rehospitalization.

Mental illness and obesity among Veterans undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: Insights from the VA CART program.

Mental illness and obesity are highly prevalent in patients with coronary disease and are frequently comorbid. While mental illness is an established risk factor for major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs), prior studies suggest improved outcomes in people with obesity. It is unknown if obesity and mental illness interact to affect cardiac outcomes or if they independently influence MACCE. We identified 55 091 patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between 2009 and 2014, using the Veterans Affairs (VA) Clinical Assessment Reporting and Tracking (CART) program. Cox methods were used to assess the risk of MACCE by weight status and psychiatric diagnosis, and assessed for interaction. Compared to normal weight status, higher weight was associated with reduced MACCE events after PCI (mean follow-up of 2 years) for both stable angina and acute coronary syndromes (ACSs; reduction of >13% in stable angina, >17% in ACS; P < 0.01 for both after adjustment). Having a non-substance abuse mental illness diagnosis increased risk of MACCE compared to patients without mental illness in stable angina over 17%; P < 0.05, but not in ACS. When analysed for interaction, obesity and mental illness did not significantly impact MACCE over their independent influences. These results suggest that mental illness along with weight status have significant impact on MACCE, post-PCI. Clinicians should be aware of patients' mental health status as a significant cardiovascular risk factor after PCI, independent of weight status.