Revascularization and long-term outcomes in high-acuity spontaneous coronary artery dissection.

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is often treated conservatively due to revascularization risks. Yet, an important number of SCAD patients have high acuity characteristics necessitating revascularization, with uncertain long-term outcomes. OBJECTIVES: Document revascularization utilization and long-term outcomes in high acuity SCAD. METHODS: Prospective/retrospective analysis of consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) due to first SCAD event presenting directly to the Minneapolis Heart Institute 2002-2021, median follow-up 3.8 years. RESULTS: Among 139 patients (age 49 ± 12 years, 96% female), revascularization was performed in 60 (43%), utilizing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (n = 56, successful in 80%) or coronary artery bypass graft (n = 4). In the entire cohort, 90 (65%) unique patients had one or more high acuity characteristic: ST-elevation (38%), proximal dissection (38%), cardiogenic shock (6.5%), cardiac arrest (9.4%), left main dissection (6.5%), peripartum dissection (7.2%). High acuity patients accounted for 51 of 60 (85%) revascularizations. Revascularization rates were: ST-elevation (60%), proximal dissection (62%), cardiogenic shock (89%), cardiac arrest (62%), left main dissection (100%), peripartum dissection (70%). Survival was 97% (revascularized) vs 100% (nonrevascularized); p = 0.2. Adverse outcomes (revascularized vs. nonrevascularized) included recurrent AMI:16.7% versus 8.9%; p = 0.2, SCAD recurrence: 13.3% versus 6.3%; p = 0.1, stroke: 5% versus 2.5%; p = 0.44, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator: 6.7% versus 6.3%; p > 0.9. Reintervention was necessary in 21% of PCI-treated patients. CONCLUSIONS: High-acuity characteristics were present in nearly two-thirds of this SCAD cohort; the vast majority of revascularizations were performed in high-acuity patients. Despite high acuity, long-term survival was favorable in revascularized patients.

Revascularization in Patients With Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection and ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an increasingly recognized cause of myocardial infarction (MI) in younger women, often treated conservatively due to revascularization risks. Revascularization outcomes are largely unknown in SCAD presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare revascularization strategies and outcomes of STEMI-SCAD with STEMI atherosclerosis (STEMI-ATH). METHODS: Consecutive STEMI patients were retrospectively analyzed (2003 to 2017) at 2 regional STEMI programs (Minneapolis Heart Institute and Cedars-Sinai Smidt Heart Institute) with 3-year outcomes. RESULTS: Among 5,208 STEMI patients, SCAD was present in 53 (1%; 93% female). SCAD prevalence was 19% in female STEMI patients age ≤50 years. Compared with STEMI-ATH, STEMI-SCAD patients were younger (age 49 ± 10 years vs. 63 ± 13 years), were more often female (93% vs. 27%), and had more frequent cardiogenic shock (19% vs. 9%); all p ≤ 0.03. In STEMI-SCAD, the culprit artery was more commonly left main (13% vs. 1%) or left anterior descending (47% vs. 38%); both p = 0.003. Acute revascularization was lower in STEMI-SCAD (70% vs. 97%); p < 0.001. In STEMI-SCAD, acute revascularization included percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), n = 33 (62%), or bypass grafting, n = 4 (8%); PCI success was 91%. Those with revascularization were more likely to have shock, left main culprit, proximal dissection, and initial TIMI (Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction) flow grade 0 to 1. The 3-year survival was 98% for STEMI-SCAD versus 84% for STEMI-ATH; p < 0.001. CONCLUSIONS: STEMI-SCAD represents an important STEMI subset, particularly among younger women, characterized by significantly greater frequency of left main or left anterior descending culprit and cardiogenic shock than STEMI-ATH. Primary PCI is successful in most STEMI-SCAD patients, with low 3-year mortality.

Comparison of functional recovery following percutaneous coronary intervention for ST elevation myocardial infarction in three age groups (<70, 70 to 79, and ≥80 years).

Functional outcomes of elderly patients ≥80 years who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) are unknown. Registry data indicate that up to 55% of elderly patients with STEMI do not receive reperfusion therapy despite a suggested mortality benefit, and only limited data are available regarding outcomes in elderly patients treated with primary PCI. Therefore, prospective data from a regional STEMI transfer program were analyzed to determine major adverse cardiac events, length of stay, and discharge status of consecutive patients with STEMI ≥80 years from March 2003 to November 2006. Of the 1,323 consecutive patients with STEMI treated in this regional STEMI system from March 2003 to November 2006, 199 (15.0%) were ≥80 years old. In-hospital mortality in elderly patients was 11.6%, with a 1-year mortality rate of 25.6%. Of the 166 patients with age ≥80 who lived independently or in assisted living before hospital admission and survived, 150 (90.4%) were discharged to a similar living situation or projected to such a living situation after temporary nursing home care. The median length of hospital stay was 4 days for these patients. In conclusion, elderly patients with age ≥80 receiving PCI for STEMI in a regional STEMI program have short hospital stays and excellent functional recovery on the basis of a very high rate of return to a similar previous living situation.