Long-term outcome of percutaneous coronary intervention for unprotected left main coronary artery disease

Xue-Ming Wu1, Chung-Pin Liu, Wei-Cheng Lin

  • 1Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.

Insights

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents is a viable treatment for unprotected left main coronary artery disease, showing acceptable outcomes. However, bifurcation involvement is a predictor of major adverse cardiac events.

Area of Science:

  • Interventional Cardiology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Medical Devices

Background:

  • Left main coronary artery (LMCA) stenosis traditionally requires coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).
  • Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents (DES) is emerging as an alternative for unprotected LMCA disease.
  • Patient selection for PCI in LMCA disease often involves prohibitive surgical risk or patient preference.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate in-hospital, 30-day, and long-term outcomes of PCI for unprotected LMCA disease.
  • To assess the safety and efficacy of PCI with DES in this patient population.
  • To identify predictors of adverse events after PCI for unprotected LMCA disease.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 55 consecutive patients undergoing unprotected LMCA PCI between January 2003 and February 2007.
  • Data collected via chart review and telephone interviews.
  • Outcomes assessed included procedural success, in-hospital events, and long-term major adverse cardiac events (MACE).

Main Results:

  • Procedural success rate was 98% with 75% of patients receiving DES.
  • No in-hospital deaths occurred.
  • Long-term follow-up (mean 867 days) revealed MACE in 29% of patients, including death (5%), myocardial infarction (7%), and target lesion revascularization (21.8%). Hyperlipidemia and bifurcation involvement were independent predictors of MACE.

Conclusions:

  • PCI with stenting is an acceptable treatment for LMCA stenosis, particularly in high-risk surgical candidates.
  • LMCA bifurcation involvement is a significant predictor of unfavorable outcomes.
  • Further research may optimize PCI strategies for complex LMCA lesions.
Abstract

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