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Objectives The aim of this study was to compare the incidence and prognostic significance of prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) according to racial groups. Background PPM after TAVR may be of more concern in Asian populations considering their relatively small annular and valve sizes compared with Western populations. Methods TP-TAVR (Transpacific TAVR Registry) was an international multicenter cohort study of patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent TAVR in the United States and South Korea from January 2015 to November 2019. PPM was defined as moderate (0.65-0.85 cm2/m2) or severe ( Results Among 1,101 eligible patients (533 Asian and 569 non-Asian), the incidence of PPM was significantly lower in the Asian population (33.6%; moderate, 26.5%; severe, 7.1%) than in the non-Asian population (54.5%; moderate, 29.8%; severe, 24.7%). The 1-year rate of the primary outcome was similar between the PPM and non-PPM groups (27.5% vs 28.1%; P = 0.69); this pattern was consistent between Asian (25.4% vs 25.2%; P = 0.31) and non-Asian (28.7% vs 32.1%; P = 0.97) patients. After multivariable adjustment, the risk for the primary outcome did not significantly differ between the PPM and non-PPM groups in the overall population (HR: 0.95; 95% CI: 0.74-1.21), in Asian patients (HR: 1.07; 95% CI: 0.74-1.55), and in non-Asian patients (HR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.63-1.19). Conclusions In this study of patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent TAVR, the incidence of PPM was significantly lower in Asian patients than in non-Asian patients. The 1-year risk for the primary composite outcome was similar between the PPM and non-PPM groups regardless of racial group. (Transpacific TAVR Registry [TP-TAVR]; NCT03826264 )

Objectives This study evaluated the association between elevated levels of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and risk of recurrent ischemic events in patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Background Elevated levels of Lp(a) have been identified as an independent, possibly causal, risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in a general population study. Methods A prospective single-center registry was used to identify 12,064 patients with baseline Lp(a) measurements who underwent PCI between 2003 and 2013. The primary outcomes were a composite of cardiovascular death, spontaneous myocardial infarction, and ischemic stroke. Results From the registry, 3,747 (31.1%) patients had high Lp(a) (>30 mg/dL) and 8,317 (68.9%) patients had low Lp(a) (≤30 mg/dL). During a median follow-up of 7.4 years, primary outcomes occurred in 1,490 patients, and the incidence rates of primary outcomes were 2.0 per 100 person-years in the high-Lp(a) group and 1.6 per 100 person-years in the low-Lp(a) group (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 1.17; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05-1.30; P = 0.004). Increased risk of recurrent ischemic cardiovascular events in the high-Lp(a) group was consistent in various subgroups including patients receiving statin treatment at discharge (aHR: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.03-1.34; P = 0.011). In addition, the risk of repeated revascularization was significantly higher in the high-Lp(a) group (aHR: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.02-1.25; P = 0.022). Conclusions Elevated levels of Lp(a) were significantly associated with the recurrent ischemic events in patients who underwent PCI. This study provides a rationale for outcome trials to test Lp(a)-lowering therapy for secondary prevention in patients undergoing PCI.

Objectives The aim of this study was to develop pre-procedural intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)–based models for predicting the occurrence of stent underexpansion. Background Although post-stenting IVUS has been used to optimize percutaneous coronary intervention, there are no pre-procedural guidelines to estimate the degree of stent expansion and provide preemptive management before stent deployment. Methods A total of 618 coronary lesions in 618 patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention were randomized into training and test sets in a 5:1 ratio. Following the coregistration of pre- and post-stenting IVUS images, the pre-procedural images and clinical information (stent diameter, length, and inflation pressure; balloon diameter; and maximal balloon pressure) were used to develop a regression model using a convolutional neural network to predict post-stenting stent area. To separate the frames with from those without the occurrence of underexpansion (stent area Results Overall, the frequency of stent underexpansion was 15% (5,209 of 34,736 frames). At the frame level, stent areas predicted by the pre-procedural IVUS-based regression model significantly correlated with those measured on post-stenting IVUS (r = 0.802). To predict stent underexpansion, maximal accuracy of 94% (area under the curve = 0.94) was achieved when the convolutional neural network– and mask image–derived features were used for the classification model. At the lesion level, there were significant correlations between predicted and measured minimal stent area (r = 0.832) and between predicted and measured total stent volume (r = 0.958). Conclusions Deep-learning algorithms accurately predicted incomplete stent expansion. A data-driven approach may assist clinicians in making treatment decisions to avoid stent underexpansion as a preventable cause of stent failure.

Background Intracoronary physiology is increasingly used in nonculprit stenoses of patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). However, evidence regarding the safety of fractional flow reserve-based deferral in patients with ACS, compared with patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP), is scarce. Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of revascularization deferral on the basis of fractional flow reserve interrogation of nonculprit lesions in patients with ACS. Methods A pooled analysis was performed of individual patient data included in 5 large international published studies on physiology-guided revascularization. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE) (a composite of death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or unplanned revascularization) at 1-year follow-up. Clinical outcomes of patients with ACS and SAP were compared in both the deferred and the revascularized groups. Results A total of 8,579 patients were included in the analysis, 6,461 with SAP and 2,118 with ACS and nonculprit stenoses. Using fractional flow reserve, revascularization was deferred in 5,129 patients (59.8%) and performed in 3,450 patients (40.2%). In the deferred ACS group, a higher MACE rate was observed compared with the deferred SAP group (4.46% vs. 2.83%; adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 1.72; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.17 to 2.53; p Conclusions Patients with ACS in whom revascularization of nonculprit lesions was deferred on the basis of fractional flow reserve have more MACE at 1 year compared with patients with SAP with deferred revascularization. Unplanned revascularization mainly contributed to this excess of MACE.

Objectives This study compared the 3-year outcomes of intracoronary imaging–guided pre-dilation, stent sizing, and post-dilation (iPSP) for patients with complex coronary artery lesions. Background The long-term effects of the optimal drug-eluting stent implantation technique in complex coronary artery disease have not been evaluated. Methods From the IRIS-DES (Interventional Cardiology Research In-cooperation Society-Drug-Eluting Stents) registry, the study evaluated 9,525 patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention for left main, bifurcation, long or diffuse (>30 mm), or angiographically severely calcified lesions. The primary outcome was a composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization. The inverse probability of treatment weighting method was used to adjust for confounding factors. Results At the index procedure, intravascular ultrasound assessment PSP were performed in 8,522 (89.5%) patients, 5,141 (54.0%) patients, and 5,531 (58.1%) patients, respectively; overall, 3,374 (35.4%) patients underwent stent implantation using all 3 parts of the iPSP strategy and were defined as the iPSP group. At 3 years, the adjusted rate of the primary outcome was significantly lower in iPSP group (5.6% vs 7.9%; adjusted hazard ratio: 0.71; 95% confidence interval: 0.63 to 0.81; p Conclusions Among patients undergoing drug-eluting stent implantation in complex coronary artery stenosis, iPSP was associated with a lower risk of cardiac events at 3 years. Therefore, physicians should apply iPSP more actively for the treatment of complex coronary artery stenoses, even in the current era. (Evaluation of the First, Second, and New Drug-Eluting Stents in Routine Clinical Practice [IRIS-DES]; NCT01186133)

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term impact of SYNTAX (Synergy Between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery) score (SS) on differential outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease. Background The very long term prognostic effect of SS on mortality and major cardiovascular events after LMCA revascularization is still undetermined. Methods In the MAIN-COMPARE (Ten-Year Outcomes of Stents Versus Coronary-Artery Bypass Grafting for Left Main Coronary Artery Disease) registry, patients with baseline SS measurements were analyzed. The 10-year rates of all-cause mortality, the composite of death, Q-wave myocardial infarction, or stroke, and target vessel revascularization after PCI or CABG were compared according to baseline SS. Results Among 1,580 patients with baseline SS, 547 patients (34.6%) had low SS (≤22), 350 (22.2%) had intermediate SS (23 to 32), and 683 (43.2%) had high SS (≥33). In patients with low to intermediate SS, the adjusted 10-year risks for death and serious composite outcome were similar between the PCI group and the CABG group. However, in patients with high SS, PCI with stenting, compared with CABG, was associated with a higher risk for death (hazard ratio: 1.39; 95% confidence interval: 1.00 to 1.92; p = 0.048) and serious composite outcome (hazard ratio: 1.27; 95% confidence interval: 0.94 to 1.74; p = 0.123). In each revascularization group, conventional tertiles of SS had a differential prognostic impact on 10-year clinical outcomes in the PCI arm but not in the CABG arm. Conclusions In this 10-year extended follow-up of patients undergoing LMCA revascularization, CABG showed a clear prognostic benefit over PCI in patients with high anatomic complexity measured by SS at baseline. The discriminative capacity of SS on long-term outcomes was relevant in the PCI group but not in the CABG group. (Ten-Year Outcomes of Stents Versus Coronary-Artery Bypass Grafting for Left Main Coronary Artery Disease [MAIN-COMPARE]; NCT02791412)

Objectives The goal of this study was to investigate sex differences in adenosine-free coronary pressure indexes. Background Several adenosine-free coronary pressure wire indexes have been proposed to assess the functional significance of coronary artery lesions; however, there is a theoretical concern that sex differences may affect diagnostic performance because of differences in resting flow and distal myocardial mass. Methods In this CONTRAST (Can Contrast Injection Better Approximate FFR Compared to Pure Resting Physiology?) substudy, contrast fractional flow reserve (cFFR), obtained during contrast-induced submaximal hyperemia, the instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR), and distal/proximal coronary pressure ratio (Pd/Pa) were compared with fractional flow reserve (FFR) in 547 men and 216 women. Using FFR ≤0.8 as a reference, the diagnostic performance of each index was compared. Results Men and women had similar diameter stenosis (p = 0.78), but women were less likely to have FFR ≤0.80 than men (42.5% vs. 51.5%, p = 0.04). Sensitivity was similar among cFFR, iFR, and Pd/Pa when comparing women and men, respectively (cFFR, 77.5% vs. 75.3%; p = 0.69; iFR, 84.9% vs. 79.4%; p = 0.30; Pd/Pa, 78.8% vs. 77.3%; p = 0.78). cFFR was more specific than iFR or Pd/Pa regardless of sex (cFFR, 94.3% vs. 95.8%; p = 0.56; iFR, 75.6% vs. 80.1%; p = 0.38; Pd/Pa, 80.6% vs. 78.7%; p = 0.69). By receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis, cFFR provided better diagnostic accuracy than resting indexes irrespective of sex (p ≤ 0.0001). Conclusions Despite the theoretical concern, the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of cFFR, iFR, and Pd/Pa did not differ between the sexes. Irrespective of sex, cFFR provides the best diagnostic performance.

Objectives The aim of this study was to compare long-term survival between patients with severe coronary artery disease undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and those undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) achieving complete revascularization (CR) or incomplete revascularization. Background The importance of CR in decision making regarding revascularization strategy in patients with severe coronary artery disease is unknown. Methods Data were pooled from the SYNTAX (Synergy Between PCI With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery), PRECOMBAT (Premier of Randomized Comparison of Bypass Surgery Versus Angioplasty Using Sirolimus-Eluting Stent in Patients With Left Main Coronary Artery Disease), and BEST (Randomized Comparison of Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery and Everolimus-Eluting Stent Implantation in the Treatment of Patients With Multivessel Coronary Artery Disease) trials. The primary outcome was death from any cause and was compared in an as-treated analysis. Results The rate of CR was 61.7% (57.2% with PCI and 66.8% with CABG). During a median 4.9-year follow-up period (interquartile range: 4.5 to 5.0 years), compared with patients undergoing CABG with CR, those undergoing PCI with incomplete revascularization had a higher risk for death from any cause (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 1.43; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03 to 2.00; p = 0.036) and the composite of death, myocardial infarction, and stroke (aHR: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.14 to 1.92; p = 0.003). However, there was no significant difference between patients undergoing CABG with CR and those undergoing PCI with CR regarding the risk for death from any cause (aHR: 1.16; 95% CI: 0.83 to 1.63; p = 0.39) and the composite of death, myocardial infarction, and stroke (aHR: 1.14; 95% CI: 0.87 to 1.48; p = 0.35). Subgroup analysis of multivessel coronary disease, high SYNTAX score (>32), and diabetes showed consistent findings. Conclusions For the treatment of left main or multivessel coronary artery disease, PCI resulting in CR was associated with a similar long-term survival rate to CABG resulting in CR. Therefore, the ability to achieve CR should enter into the decision algorithm for choice of revascularization strategy.

Objectives The authors undertook a patient-level meta-analysis to compare long-term outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) versus percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents (DES) in 3,280 patients with left main or multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD). Background The relative efficacy and safety of CABG versus PCI with DES for left main or multivessel CAD remain controversial. Methods Data were pooled from the BEST (Randomized Comparison of Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery and Everolimus Eluting Stent Implantation in the Treatment of Patients With Multivessel Coronary Artery Disease), PRECOMBAT (Premier of Randomized Comparison of Bypass Surgery vs. Angioplasty Using Sirolimus-Eluting Stent in Patients With Left Main Coronary Artery Disease), and SYNTAX (Synergy Between PCI With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery) trials. The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, or stroke. Results The median follow-up was 60 months, and follow-up was completed for 96.2% of patients. The rate of primary outcome was significantly lower with CABG than with PCI (13.0% vs. 16.0%; hazard ratio [HR]: 0.83; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.69 to 1.00; p = 0.046). The difference was mainly driven by reduction in myocardial infarction (HR: 0.46; 95% CI: 0.33 to 0.64; p Conclusions CABG, as compared with PCI with DES, reduced long-term rates of the composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, or stroke in patients with left main or multivessel CAD. The advantage of CABG over PCI with DES was particularly pronounced in those with multivessel CAD.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with poor outcomes after coronary revascularization [(1–3)][1]. Over the last several decades, a remarkable evolution in stent technology, procedures, and adjunctive pharmacology has reduced the treatment gap between percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and

Objectives The study sought to investigate the impact of different computing methods for composite endpoints other than time-to-event (TTE) statistics in a large, multicenter registry of unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA) disease. Background TTE statistics for composite outcome measures used in ULMCA studies consider only the first event, and all the contributory outcomes are handled as if of equal importance. Methods The TTE, Andersen-Gill, win ratio (WR), competing risk, and weighted composite endpoint (WCE) computing methods were applied to ULMCA patients revascularized by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) at 14 international centers. Results At a median follow-up of 1,295 days (interquartile range: 928 to 1,713 days), all analyses showed no difference in combinations of death, myocardial infarction, and cerebrovascular accident between PCI and CABG. When target vessel revascularization was incorporated in the composite endpoint, the TTE (p = 0.03), Andersen-Gill (p = 0.04), WR (p = 0.025), and competing risk (p Conclusions In a large study of ULMCA revascularization, incorporating the clinical relevance of the individual outcomes resulted in sensibly different findings as compared with the conventional TTE approach. In particular, using the WCE computing method, PCI and CABG were no longer significantly different with respect to the composite of death, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident, or target vessel revascularization at a median of 3 years.

Objectives This study sought to evaluate the determinants and prognostic implications of periprocedural myocardial injury (PMI) in successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of chronic total occlusions (CTOs). Background There are limited studies addressing the risk factors and clinical implication of PMI in patients undergoing CTO-PCI. Methods We examined 1,058 consecutive CTO patients who underwent successful drug-eluting stent implantation and serial measurements of creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB) values between March 2003 and August 2014. PMI was defined as elevations of CK-MB >3 times the upper reference limit (URL). Results PMI occurred in 121 patients (11.4%). Multivariable analysis revealed that the presence of renal failure (odds ratio [OR]: 4.25; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.59 to 11.35; p = 0.004), attempted retrograde approach (OR: 2.27; 95% CI: 1.34 to 3.84; p = 0.002), concomitant non–target lesion intervention (OR: 1.74; 95% CI: 1.17 to 2.59; p = 0.006), and stent number (OR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.77; p = 0.011) were predictors associated with PMI. During a median follow-up of 4.4 years, PMI was associated with an increased risk of mortality (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.86; 95% CI: 1.09 to 3.17; p = 0.02). These findings were also consistent when higher CK-MB cutoff was used to define PMI. Although there was a trend toward higher all-cause mortality with increasing peak CK-MB levels, in multivariable analyses, this association was statistically significant only for peak CK-MB levels of >10 times the URL. Conclusions PMI was associated with an increased risk of long-term mortality after successful CTO-PCI. Patients with renal insufficiency, those who require more stents, multiple lesion treatment, and retrograde approach have a higher likelihood of having PMI.

Objectives The study sought to validate the SYNTAX (Synergy Between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery) score II mortality prediction model after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting in a large pooled population of patients with multivessel coronary disease (MVD) and/or unprotected left main disease (UPLMD) enrolled in the PRECOMBAT (Bypass Surgery Versus Angioplasty Using Sirolimus-Eluting Stent in Patients With Left Main Coronary Artery Disease) and BEST (Artery Bypass Surgery and Everolimus-Eluting Stent Implantation in the Treatment of Patients with Multivessel Coronary Artery Disease) randomized controlled trials. Background For patients with MVD and/or UPLMD, the choice of the best revascularization strategy remains challenging. Methods Pooled individual patient-level data from PRECOMBAT and BEST were used to assess calibration and discrimination of the SYNTAX score II prediction model for all-cause mortality after PCI and coronary artery bypass grafting at 4-year follow-up. The study population comprised 1,480 patients (600 with UPLMD, 880 with MVD). Results The overall incidence of all-cause mortality was 6.1% after a median follow-up period of 4.9 years. Validation plots showed good model calibration overall and across treatment groups but tended to overestimate all-cause mortality in the highest risk quintiles of patients in the whole population and the PCI arm. The SYNTAX score II showed moderate discrimination ability for the whole population (C index = 0.685) but better for patients receiving PCI than CABG (C index = 0.718 vs. 0.662 in patients with UPLMD, C index = 0.700 vs. 0.661 in those with MVD). Observed all-cause mortality was higher when the treatment received was at variance with that recommended by the model and similar when it was concordant. Conclusions The SYNTAX score II has good calibration but only moderate discrimination ability for long-term mortality prediction in this randomized population. This score provides an important tool to help guide the heart team’s decision-making process regarding the selection of the best revascularization strategy for patients with MVD and/or UPLMD. (Bypass Surgery Versus Angioplasty Using Sirolimus-Eluting Stent in Patients With Left Main Coronary Artery Disease, NCT00422968; Bypass Surgery Versus Everolimus-Eluting Stent Implantation for Multivessel Coronary Artery Disease, NCT00997828)

Objectives This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of neoatherosclerosis (NA) in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation using optical coherence tomography. Background NA is an important substrate for stent failure. In vivo NA characteristics in DM patients have not been investigated. Methods A total of 397 patients with 452 DES who underwent follow-up optical coherence tomography examination after DES implantation were enrolled. Characteristics of NA were compared between DM and non-DM patients. Neovascularization was defined as signal-poor holes or tubular structures with a diameter of 50 to 300 μm. Results A total of 123 DES with NA lesions in 115 patients were identified. The incidence of NA was similar between DM and non-DM patients (29.6% vs. 28.6%; p = 0.825). Compared with the non-DM group, neovascularization was more frequently observed in the DM group (55.1% vs. 32.4%; p = 0.012). The multivariate logistic model demonstrated that DM (odds ratio: 3.00; 95% confidence interval: 1.31 to 6.81; p = 0.009) and follow-up duration (odds ratio: 1.03; 95% confidence interval: 1.02 to 1.05; p Conclusions The incidence of NA was similar between patients with and without DM. Neovascularization in NA lesions was more frequent in those with DM. Poorly controlled DM patients had a higher incidence of thin-cap fibroatheroma, compared with those with well-controlled DM.

Objectives This study sought to evaluate the optimal percutaneous coronary intervention techniques using drug-eluting stents for bifurcation coronary lesions. Background The optimal bifurcation stenting technique needs to be evaluated. Methods The trial included 2 randomization studies separated by the presence of side branch (SB) stenosis for patients having non–left main bifurcation lesions. For 306 patients without SB stenosis, the routine final kissing balloon or leave-alone approaches were compared. Another randomization study compared the crush or single-stent approaches for 419 patients with SB stenosis. Results Between the routine final kissing balloon and leave-alone groups for nondiseased SB lesions, angiographic restenosis occurred in 17.9% versus 9.3% (p = 0.064), comprising 15.1% versus 3.7% for the main branch (p = 0.004) and 2.8% versus 5.6% for the SB (p = 0.50) from 214 patients (69.9%) receiving 8-month angiographic follow-up. Incidence of major adverse cardiac events including death, myocardial infarction, or target vessel revascularization over 1 year was 14.0% versus 11.6% between the routine final kissing balloon and leave-alone groups (p = 0.57). In another randomization study for diseased SB lesions, 28.2% in the single-stent group received SB stents. From 300 patients (71.6%) receiving angiographic follow-up, between the crush and single-stent groups, angiographic restenosis rate was 8.4% versus 11.0% (p = 0.44), comprising 5.2% versus 4.8% for the main branch (p = 0.90) and 3.9% versus 8.3% for the SB (p = 0.12). One-year major adverse cardiac events rate between the crush and single-stent groups was 17.9% versus 18.5% (p = 0.84). Conclusions Angiographic and clinical outcomes were excellent after percutaneous coronary intervention using drug-eluting stents with any stent technique for non–left main bifurcation lesions once the procedure was performed successfully.

Traditionally, left main coronary artery disease had been regarded as a dominion of the cardiac surgeons on the basis of results from the classic trial comparing medical treatment and bypass surgery [(1,2)][1]. However, several brave pioneers in interventional cardiology have continued to evaluate

ObjectivesThis study sought to evaluate the intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) minimal lumen area (MLA) for functionally significant left main coronary artery (LMCA) stenosis using fractional flow reserve (FFR) as the standard.BackgroundThe evaluation of significant LMCA stenosis remains challenging.MethodsWe identified 112 patients with isolated ostial and shaft intermediate LMCA stenosis (angiographic diameter stenosis of 30% to 80%) who underwent IVUS and FFR measurement.ResultsThe FFR was ≤0.80 in 66 LMCA lesions (59%); these exhibited smaller reference vessels, smaller minimal lumen diameter, greater diameter of stenosis, longer lesion length, smaller MLA, larger plaque burden, and more frequent plaque rupture. The independent factors of an FFR of ≤0.80 were plaque rupture (odds ratio [OR]: 4.47; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.35 to 14.8; p = 0.014); body mass index (OR: 1.19; 95% CI: 1.00 to 1.41; p = 0.05), age (OR: 0.95; 95% CI: 0.90 to 1.00; p = 0.031), and IVUS MLA (OR: 0.37; 95% CI: 0.25 to 0.56; p < 0.001). The optimal IVUS MLA cutoff value for an FFR of ≤0.80 was 4.5 mm2 (77% sensitivity, 82% specificity, 84% positive predictive value, 75% negative predictive value, area under the curve: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.76 to 0.96; p < 0.001) overall and 4.1 to 4.5 mm2 in various subgroups. Adjustment for the body surface area, body mass index, and left ventricular mass did not improve the diagnostic accuracy of the IVUS MLA.ConclusionsIn patients with isolated ostial and shaft intermediate LMCA stenosis, an IVUS-derived MLA of ≤4.5 mm2 is a useful index of an FFR of ≤0.80.

Objectives The aim of this study was to compare, in a large all-comer registry, the long-term clinical outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents (DES) for ostial/mid-shaft lesions versus distal bifurcation lesions in unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA) stenosis. Background Limited data are available regarding clinical outcomes following DES implantation at the different ULMCA sites. Methods Patients with ULMCA stenosis treated by PCI with DES were analyzed in this multinational registry. Results A total of 1,612 patients were included: 482 were treated for ostial/mid-shaft lesions versus 1,130 for distal bifurcation lesions. At a median follow-up period of 1,250 (interquartile range: 987 to 1,564) days, PCI for distal bifurcation lesions was associated with a higher incidence of major adverse cardiac events (propensity-score adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 1.48, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16 to 1.89; p = 0.001), largely because of the higher target vessel revascularization rate observed in this group as compared to the ostial/mid-shaft lesions group (propensity-score adjusted HR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.19 to 2.38; p = 0.003). These results were sustained following propensity-score matched analysis. With regard to all-cause death and the composite endpoint of all-cause death and myocardial infarction, propensity-score adjusted analysis suggested a trend toward higher rates of these in the distal ULMCA PCI group, although this was not observed in the propensity-score matched analysis. Conclusions This study demonstrates that PCI for ostial/mid-shaft lesions is associated with better clinical outcomes than are distal bifurcation lesions in ULMCA, largely because there is a lower need for repeat revascularization in ostial/mid-shaft lesions.

ObjectivesThis study sought to assess differences in visual-functional mismatches between men and women.BackgroundSex differences in mismatch between coronary anatomy and function remain poorly understood.MethodsWe assessed quantitative coronary angiography, intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), fractional flow reserve (FFR), and echocardiographic left ventricular mass in a prospective cohort of 700 patients (493 male and 207 female patients) with 700 left anterior descending coronary lesions.ResultsThe female patients were older than the male patients (64 ± 10 years vs. 60 ± 10 years, p

Objectives This study sought to compare everolimus-eluting stents (EES) with zotarolimus-eluting stents (ZES) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Background There is a paucity of data to exclusively evaluate the safety and efficacy of second-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) in the setting of AMI. Methods The present study enrolled 3,309 AMI patients treated with ZES (n = 1,608) or EES (n = 1,701) in a large-scale, prospective, multicenter registry—KAMIR (Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry). Propensity score matching was applied to adjust for differences in baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics, producing a total of 2,646 patients (1,343 receiving ZES, and 1,343 receiving EES). Target lesion failure (TLF) was defined as the composite of cardiac death, recurrent nonfatal myocardial infarction, or target lesion revascularization. Major clinical outcomes at 1 year were compared between the 2 propensity score-matched groups. Results After propensity score matching, baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics were similar between the 2 groups. Clinical outcomes of the propensity score-matched patients showed that, despite similar incidences of recurrent nonfatal myocardial infarction and in-hospital and 1-year mortality, patients in the EES group had significantly lower rates of TLF (6.5% vs. 8.7%, p = 0.029) and probable or definite stent thrombosis (0.3% vs. 1.6%, p Conclusions In this propensity-matched comparison, EES seems to be superior to ZES in reducing TLF and stent thrombosis in patients with AMI.

Objectives The aim of this study was to compare, in a large all-comers registry, major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with first-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) versus coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA) stenosis. Background Percutaneous coronary intervention with DES implantation in ULMCA has been shown to be a feasible and safe approach at midterm clinical follow-up. Methods All consecutive patients with ULMCA stenosis treated by PCI with DES versus CABG were analyzed in this multinational registry. A propensity score analysis was performed to adjust for baseline differences in the overall cohort. Results In total 2,775 patients were included: 1,874 were treated with PCI versus 901 with CABG. At 1,295 (interquartile range: 928 to 1,713) days, there were no differences, at the adjusted analysis, in the primary composite endpoint of death, cerebrovascular accidents, and myocardial infarction (MI) (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 1.11; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.85 to 1.42; p = 0.47), mortality (adjusted HR: 1.16; 95% CI: 0.87 to 1.55; p = 0.32), or composite endpoint of death and MI (adjusted HR: 1.25; 95% CI: 0.95 to 1.64; p = 0.11). An advantage of CABG over PCI was observed in the composite secondary endpoint of MACCE (adjusted HR: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.33 to 2.03; p Conclusions In our multinational all-comers registry, no difference was observed in the occurrence of death, cerebrovascular accidents, and MI between PCI and CABG. An advantage of CABG over PCI was observed in the incidence of MACCE, driven by the higher incidence of target vessel revascularization with PCI.

Objectives This study sought to evaluate the safety and efficacy of second-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) for patients with unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA) stenosis. Background The clinical benefit of second-generation DES for ULMCA stenosis has not been determined. Methods The authors assessed 334 consecutive patients who received everolimus-eluting stents (EES) for ULMCA stenosis between 2009 and 2010. The 18-month incidence rates of major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular events (MACCE), including death, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, or ischemia-driven target vessel revascularization (TVR), were compared with those of a randomized study comparing patients who received sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) (n = 327) or coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG) (n = 272). Results EES (8.9%) showed a comparable incidence of MACCE as SES (10.8%; adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] of EES: 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.51 to 1.40; p = 0.51) and CABG (6.7%, aHR of EES: 1.40; 95% CI: 0.78 to 2.54; p = 0.26). The composite incidence of death, MI, or stroke also did not differ among patients receiving EES (3.3%), SES (3.7%; aHR of EES: 0.63; 95% CI: 0.27 to 1.47; p = 0.29), and CABG (4.8%; aHR of EES: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.29 to 1.54; p = 0.34). However, the incidence of ischemia-driven TVR in the EES group (6.5%) was higher than in the CABG group (2.6%, aHR of EES: 2.77; 95% CI: 1.17 to 6.58; p = 0.02), but comparable to SES (8.2%, aHR of EES: 1.14; 95% CI: 0.64 to 2.06; p = 0.65). Angiographic restenosis rates were similar in the SES and EES groups (13.8% vs. 9.2%, p = 0.16). Conclusions Second-generation EES had a similar 18-month risk of MACCE for ULMCA stenosis as first-generation SES or CABG. (Evaluation of Outcomes of EES Implantation for Unprotected Left Main Coronary Artery Stenosis [PRECOMBAT-2]; NCT01348022 )

Objectives This study compared everolimus-eluting stents (EES) and sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) for long coronary lesions. Background Outcomes remain relatively unfavorable for stent-based coronary intervention of lesions with long diseased segments. Methods This randomized, multicenter, prospective trial compared the use of long EES with SES in 450 patients with long (≥25 mm) native coronary lesions. The primary endpoint of the trial was in-segment late luminal loss at 9-month angiographic follow-up. Results The EES and SES groups had similar baseline characteristics. Lesion length was 34.0 ± 15.4 mm in the EES group and 34.3 ± 13.5 mm in the SES group (p = 0.85). Nine-month angiographic follow-up was performed in 80% of the EES group and 81% of the SES group (p = 0.69). In-segment late loss as the primary study endpoint was significantly larger in the EES group than in the SES group (0.17 ± 0.41 mm vs. 0.09 ± 0.30 mm, p for noninferiority = 0.96, p for superiority = 0.04). The in-segment binary restenosis rate was also higher in the EES group than in the SES group (7.3% vs. 2.7%, p = 0.046). However, in-stent late loss (0.22 ± 0.43 mm vs. 0.18 ± 0.28 mm, p = 0.29) and in-stent binary restenosis rate (3.9% vs. 2.7%, p = 0.53) were similar among the 2 groups. The incidence of any clinical outcomes (death, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, target lesion revascularization, and composite outcomes) was not statistically different between the 2 groups. Conclusions For patients with long native coronary artery disease, EES implantation was associated with greater angiographic in-segment late loss and higher rates of in-segment restenosis compared with SES implantation. However, clinical outcomes were both excellent and not statistically different. (Percutaneous Treatment of LONG Native Coronary Lesions With Drug-Eluting Stent-III [LONG-DES-III]; NCT01078038 )

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate long-term clinical outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic total occlusions (CTO). Background Despite technical advancements, there is a paucity of data on long-term outcomes after PCI of CTO. Methods We evaluated long-term clinical outcomes in 1,791 patients who underwent PCI of 1,852 CTO at 3 tertiary care centers in the United States, South Korea, and Italy between 1998 and 2007. Median follow-up was 2.9 years (interquartile range: 1.5 to 4.6 years). Results Procedural success was obtained in 1,226 (68%) patients. Stents were implanted in 1,160 patients (95%); 396 patients (34%) received bare-metal stents (BMS), and 764 patients (66%) received drug-eluting stents (DES). After multivariable analysis, successful CTO PCI was an independent predictor of a lower cardiac mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.40, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.21 to 0.75, p

Saphenous vein grafts are commonly used conduits for surgical revascularization of coronary arteries but are associated with poor long-term patency rates. Percutaneous revascularization of saphenous vein grafts is associated with worse clinical outcomes including higher rates of in-stent restenosis, target vessel revascularization, myocardial infarction, and death compared with percutaneous coronary intervention of native coronary arteries. Use of embolic protection devices is a Class I indication according to the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines to decrease the risk of distal embolization, no-reflow, and periprocedural myocardial infarction. Nonetheless, these devices are underused in clinical practice. Various pharmacological agents are available that may also reduce the risk of or mitigate the consequences of no-reflow. Covered stents do not decrease the rates of periprocedural myocardial infarction and restenosis. Most available evidence supports treatment with drug-eluting stents in this high-risk lesion subset to reduce angiographic and clinical restenosis, although large, randomized trials comparing drug-eluting stents and bare-metal stents are needed.

Objectives This study sought to evaluate the ability of minimal luminal area (MLA) measured by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) to assess the functional significance of coronary artery disease. Background The use of IVUS to determine the functional significance of coronary artery lesions remains a matter for debate. Methods From our prospective IVUS imaging database, between July 2009 and April 2010, 170 coronary lesions in 150 patients who underwent stress myocardial single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) performed within 1 month of IVUS evaluation were identified and analyzed. MLA and other parameters were measured by IVUS and compared with the results of myocardial SPECT. Results Overall, 45 lesions had positive SPECT, and 125 lesions had negative SPECT. The MLA of lesions with positive SPECT was smaller than the MLA of those with negative SPECT (1.7 ± 0.5 mm 2 vs. 2.3 ± 1.1 mm 2 , p 2 , 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.75 to 5.5, p 2 with an 86.7% sensitivity, a 50.4% specificity, a 38.6% positive predictive value, and a 91.3% negative predictive value versus lesions with a positive SPECT (area under the curve: 0.690, 95% CI: 0.615 to 0.759, p Conclusions The best cutoff value of MLA measured by IVUS to predict myocardial ischemia was 2.1 mm 2 . The IVUS-measured MLA appeared to play a limited role in detecting functionally significant lesions assessed by myocardial SPECT.

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to assess the impact of early and late bleeding on subsequent mortality after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation.BackgroundLittle is known about the impact of late bleeding after DES implantation.MethodsWith a time-updated Cox model, the impact of bleeding and myocardial infarction (MI) on 3-year mortality was analyzed in 3,148 consecutive patients who underwent DES implantation for coronary disease.ResultsBleeding, defined according to STEEPLE (Safety and Efficacy of Enoxaparin in PCI Patients, an International Randomized Evaluation) minor or major criteria, occurred in 6.5% of patients over 3 years. Patients with bleeding were older; were more likely to be female; had higher rates of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and extensive coronary disease and lower ventricular function; and underwent more complex procedures than those without bleeding. The 3-year adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for mortality were 5.81 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.92 to 8.60; p < 0.001) for patients with bleeding and 2.53 (95% CI: 1.62 to 3.96; p < 0.001) for patients with MI. When the timings of events were separated, the HRs for mortality were 4.89 (95% CI: 3.08 to 7.78; p < 0.001) and 7.81 (95% CI: 4.39 to 13.89; p < 0.001) for patients with bleeding within and after 30 days, respectively. By contrast, the HRs for mortality were 1.85 (95% CI: 1.09 to 3.14, p = 0.022) and 10.33 (95% CI: 4.91 to 21.75, p < 0.001) for patients with MI within and after 30 days, respectively.ConclusionsBleeding is closely associated with mortality during both the early and late periods after DES implantation. Therefore, in addition to carefully assessing bleeding after stenting, evidence-based treatment should be implemented to offer the best balance of benefit and harm.

Acute occlusion involving the unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA) is a clinically catastrophic event, often leading to abrupt and severe circulatory failure, lethal arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. Although coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the standard of care for ULMCA disease in patients with stable ischemic heart disease, uncertainty surrounds the optimal revascularization strategy for patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (MI) and ULMCA occlusion who survive to hospitalization, and treatment guidelines in this setting are vague. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is technically feasible in most patients, has the advantage of providing more rapid reperfusion compared with CABG with acceptable short- and long-term outcomes, and is associated with a lower risk of stroke. PCI of the ULMCA should be considered as a viable alternative to CABG for selected patients with MI, including those with ULMCA occlusion and less than Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction flow grade 3, cardiogenic shock, persistent ventricular arrhythmias, and significant comorbidities. The higher risk of target vessel revascularization associated with ULMCA PCI compared with CABG is an acceptable tradeoff given the primary need for rapid reperfusion to enhance survival.

Objectives We undertook a meta-analysis to assess outcomes for drug-eluting stents (DES) and bare-metal stents (BMS) in percutaneous coronary intervention for unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA) stenosis. Background Uncertainty exists regarding the relative performance of DES versus BMS in percutaneous coronary intervention for unprotected left main coronary stenosis. Methods Of a total of 838 studies, 44 met inclusion criteria (n = 10,342). The co-primary end points were mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), target vessel/lesion revascularization (TVR/TLR), and major adverse cardiac events (MACE: mortality, MI, TVR/TLR). Results Event rates for DES and BMS were calculated at 6 to 12 months, at 2 years, and at 3 years. Crude event rates at 3 years were mortality (8.8% and 12.7%), MI (4.0% and 3.4%), TVR/TLR (8.0% and 16.4%), and MACE (21.4% and 31.6%). Nine studies were included in a comparative analysis (n = 5,081). At 6 to 12 months the adjusted odds ratio (OR) for DES versus BMS were: mortality 0.94 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.06 to 15.48; p = 0.97), MI 0.64 (95% CI: 0.19 to 2.17; p = 0.47), TVR/TLR 0.10 (95% CI: 0.01 to 0.84; p = 0.01), and MACE 0.34 (95% CI: 0.15 to 0.78; p = 0.01). At 2 years, the OR for DES versus BMS were: mortality 0.42 (95% CI: 0.28 to 0.62; p Conclusions Our meta-analysis suggests that DES is associated with favorable outcomes for mortality, MI, TVR/TLR, and MACE as compared to BMS in percutaneous coronary intervention for unprotected left main coronary artery stenosis.

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the length of the stented segment and the risk of stent thrombosis (ST) after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation and to determine the cutoff value of stent length in higher risk of ST in routine clinical practice.BackgroundDespite the recommendations of full lesion coverage to prevent angiographic restenosis, the length of the stented segment has been a risk factor for DES-related ST.MethodsA total of 3,145 consecutive patients (4,667 lesions) who underwent DES implantation were analyzed. The independent association of stent length with ST and its predictive value were evaluated for a median 29.6 months (interquartile range 21.6 to 37.5 months).ResultsStent thrombosis occurred in 68 patients (2.2%) at 3 years. The stent length/lesion was an independent predictor of ST (hazard ratio: 1.11, 95% confidence interval: 1.06 to 1.15, p < 0.001). The threshold of stent length for predicting ST was 31.5 mm (area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve: 0.746, 95% confidence interval: 0.699 to 0.793, p < 0.001), which had a sensitivity and specificity of 88.4% and 52.1%, respectively. Stent lengths ≥31.5 mm were associated with higher rates of ST (4.0% vs. 0.7%, p < 0.001), death (5.2% vs. 3.0%, p = 0.005), and myocardial infarction (2.4% vs. 0.7%, p = 0.001) at 3 years, as compared with stent lengths

Objectives We evaluated the effects of statin treatments for each component of coronary plaques. Background Effects of statin treatments on coronary plaques have not been sufficiently evaluated. Methods One hundred patients without significant lesion stenosis underwent baseline and 12-month follow-up virtual histology (VH) intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) studies and were treated with statin for 1 year. They were randomized to simvastatin (20 mg/day, n = 50) or rosuvastatin (10 mg/day, n = 50). With VH-IVUS, plaque was characterized as fibrotic, fibrofatty, dense calcium, and necrotic core. Results In overall patients, necrotic core volume significantly reduced (15.7 to 13.7 mm3, p = 0.010) and fibrofatty plaque volume increased (4.3 to 5.5 mm3, p = 0.006) after statin treatments for 1 year. There were no significant differences of changes in either plaque component volume between simvastatin- and rosuvastatin-treated subgroups. In serial comparisons during 1-year follow-up, simvastatin treatment did not achieve statistically significant changes in fibrofatty plaque (4.1 to 5.1 mm3, p = 0.131) and necrotic core volume (15.8 to 14.4 mm3, p = 0.216). However, there was a significant decrease in necrotic core volume (15.5 to 13.0 mm3, p = 0.015) and an increase in fibrofatty plaque volume (4.5 to 5.9 mm3, p = 0.017) in the rosuvastatin-treated subgroup. Conclusions Serial volumetric VH-IVUS analysis showed that statin treatments might be associated with significant changes in necrotic core and fibrofatty plaque volume in overall patients. The changes in both plaques' component volume were not statistically different between simvastatin- and rosuvastatin-treated subgroup.

Objectives The purpose of this study was to evaluate the risk of stent thrombosis (ST), clinical outcomes, and the benefits of extended clopidogrel use after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation. Background Data are limited regarding uniform evaluation of ST and the influence of clopidogrel continuation beyond 12 months on late events after DES treatment. Methods We identified 7,221 patients who received DES implantation (n = 3,160) or bare-metal stent (BMS) implantation (n = 4,061), and compared long-term adverse outcomes. Additionally, 2,851 patients with DES surviving 12 months without major events were analyzed according to clopidogrel continuation. Results The adjusted-risk of overall ST was similar in the 2 groups. After 1 year, however, DES patients showed a higher risk of ST; definite/probable (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.55, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.26 to 9.99). The adjusted-risk of death (HR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.46 to 0.79), death/myocardial infarction (HR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.49 to 0.81), and target lesion revascularization (HR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.24 to 0.43) were significantly lower in the DES group than in the BMS group. Continuing clopidogrel beyond 12 months was not associated with a reduced risk for ST (HR: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.07 to 4.23), death (HR: 1.20, 95% CI: 0.55 to 2.66), or death/myocardial infarction (HR: 1.16, 95% CI: 0.56 to 2.42) after DES implantation. Conclusions As compared with BMS, DES showed a similar risk of overall ST, but a higher risk of very late ST. The rates of death, death/myocardial infarction, and target lesion revasuclarization were significantly lower in the DES group. Clopidogrel continuation beyond 1 year did not appear to reduce ST and clinical events after DES implantation.

We thank Dr. Azzalini and colleagues for their comments concerning our article [(1)][1]. Perhaps, among various registries intended for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) studies, chronic total occlusion (CTO) registries may have the most extreme form of biased sampling. CTO is more common in

We thank Dr. Lozano and colleagues for their interest in our study [(1)][1]. The CROSS and PERFECT studies showed that any bifurcation stenting technique can yield a good clinical outcome once the procedure is optimally performed using intravascular ultrasound and new-generation drug-eluting stents

We thank Dr. de la Torre Hernandez and colleagues for their interest in our paper [(1)][1] suggesting the optimal left main coronary artery minimal lumen area (LM-MLA) of 4.5 mm2 for detecting fractional flow reserve (FFR)

As a result of the demonstrated survival benefit of coronary artery bypass surgery over medical treatment, and the unfavorable initial results of coronary balloon angioplasty, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has been the standard care for significant left main coronary artery (LMCA) stenosis

Objectives This study aimed to validate the SYNTAX (Synergy between PCI with Taxus and Cardiac Surgery) score representing angiographic complexity after unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA) revascularization. Background The validity of the SYNTAX score has been adequately evaluated. Methods The SYNTAX scores were calculated for 1,580 patients in a large multicenter registry who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (n = 819) or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) (n = 761) for ULMCA stenosis. The outcomes of interests were 3-year incidences of major adverse vascular events (MAVE), including death, Q-wave myocardial infarction, and stroke and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), including MAVE and target vessel revascularization of ULMCA. Results The incidence of 3-year MAVE was 6.2% in the lowest (≤23), 7.1% in the intermediate (23 to ∼36), and 17.4% in the highest (>36) SYNTAX score tertile groups after PCI (p = 0.010). However, the incidences of MAVE in the CABG group and MACCE in the PCI and CABG groups did not differ among the SYNTAX tertiles. In subgroups, the MAVE (p = 0.005) and MACCE (p = 0.007) rates according to the SYNTAX score tertiles were significantly different in patients receiving drug-eluting stent, not in those receiving bare-metal stent. When compared with the clinical EuroSCORE (European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation), the C-indexes of SYNTAX score and EuroSCORE were 0.59 and 0.67, respectively, for discrimination of MAVE and 0.53 and 0.57, respectively, for MACCE. Conclusions The angiographic SYNTAX score seems to play a partial role in predicting long-term adverse events after PCI for ULMCA stenosis. A complementary consideration of patient's clinical risk might improve the predictive ability of risk score.

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to determine the best intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) criteria for predicting physiological significance of left main (LM) stenosis with fractional flow reserve (FFR) as the standard.BackgroundFor identifying significant LM disease, optimal cutoff of minimal lumen area (MLA) and its accuracy remain debatable.MethodsWe identified 55 patients (31 stable and 24 unstable angina) with an isolated LM lesion of 30% to 80% angiographic diameter stenosis who underwent IVUS and invasive physiological assessment before intervention.ResultsThe FFR at maximum hyperemia significantly correlated with IVUS-measured MLA within the LM (r = 0.623, p < 0.001), plaque burden (r = −0.548, p < 0.001), angiographic diameter stenosis (r = −0.449, p = 0.002), and angiographic length of the lesion (r = −0.292, p = 0.046). The FFR was significantly lower in 18 lesions with plaque rupture than 37 lesions without plaque rupture (0.76 ± 0.09 vs. 0.82 ± 0.09, p = 0.018). The independent determinants of FFR as a continuous variable were MLA (beta = 0.598, p < 0.001) and plaque rupture (beta = −0.255, p = 0.038). Furthermore, the MLA within the LM was the only independent determinant for FFR

ObjectivesThis study sought to evaluate the association between newly revealed abnormal ankle-brachial index (ABI) and clinical outcomes in patients with significant coronary artery stenosis.BackgroundLittle is known about the prevalence and clinical implications of ABI in patients with no claudication or previous history of peripheral artery disease who undergo diagnostic coronary angiography.MethodsBetween January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2009, ABI was evaluated in 2,543 consecutive patients with no clinical history of claudication or peripheral artery disease who underwent diagnostic coronary angiography. Abnormal ABI was defined as ≤0.9 or ≥1.4. The primary endpoint was the composite of death, myocardial infarction, and stroke over 3 years.ResultsOf the 2,543 patients, 390 (15.3%) had abnormal ABI. Of the 2,424 patients with at least 1 significant stenosis (≥50%) in a major epicardial coronary artery, 385 (15.9%) had abnormal ABI, including 348 (14.4%) with ABI ≤0.9 and 37 (1.5%) with ABI ≥1.4. During a median follow-up of 986 days, the 3-year major adverse event rate was significantly higher in patients with abnormal than normal ABI (15.7% vs. 3.3%, p < 0.001). After multivariate analysis, abnormal ABI was identified as a predictor of primary endpoint (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.87; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.23 to 2.84; p = 0.004). After adjustment by propensity-score matching, abnormal ABI could predict adverse clinical events in patients with established coronary artery disease (HR: 2.40; 95% CI: 1.41 to 4.10; p = 0.001).ConclusionsThe prevalence of newly revealed abnormal, asymptomatic ABI among patients who have significant CAD on coronary angiography was 15.9%. The presence of abnormal ABI was associated with a higher incidence of adverse clinical outcomes over 3 years.

ObjectivesThis study compared everolimus-eluting stents (EES) and sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) for long coronary lesions.BackgroundOutcomes remain relatively unfavorable for stent-based coronary intervention of lesions with long diseased segments.MethodsThis randomized, multicenter, prospective trial compared the use of long EES with SES in 450 patients with long (≥25 mm) native coronary lesions. The primary endpoint of the trial was in-segment late luminal loss at 9-month angiographic follow-up.ResultsThe EES and SES groups had similar baseline characteristics. Lesion length was 34.0 ± 15.4 mm in the EES group and 34.3 ± 13.5 mm in the SES group (p = 0.85). Nine-month angiographic follow-up was performed in 80% of the EES group and 81% of the SES group (p = 0.69). In-segment late loss as the primary study endpoint was significantly larger in the EES group than in the SES group (0.17 ± 0.41 mm vs. 0.09 ± 0.30 mm, p for noninferiority = 0.96, p for superiority = 0.04). The in-segment binary restenosis rate was also higher in the EES group than in the SES group (7.3% vs. 2.7%, p = 0.046). However, in-stent late loss (0.22 ± 0.43 mm vs. 0.18 ± 0.28 mm, p = 0.29) and in-stent binary restenosis rate (3.9% vs. 2.7%, p = 0.53) were similar among the 2 groups. The incidence of any clinical outcomes (death, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, target lesion revascularization, and composite outcomes) was not statistically different between the 2 groups.ConclusionsFor patients with long native coronary artery disease, EES implantation was associated with greater angiographic in-segment late loss and higher rates of in-segment restenosis compared with SES implantation. However, clinical outcomes were both excellent and not statistically different. (Percutaneous Treatment of LONG Native Coronary Lesions With Drug-Eluting Stent-III [LONG-DES-III]; NCT01078038)