Long-term outcome after angiographically proven coronary stent thrombosis

The long-term outcomes of patients with angiographically proved stent thrombosis (ST) are insufficiently known. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presentation and in-hospital and long-term outcomes of patients with angiographically proved ST as well as predictors of unfavorable clinical outcomes. One hundred six consecutive patients (mean age 69 ± 12 years, 85 men) presenting from 2003 to 2011 with 117 angiographically proved STs were included in the analysis. The time interval from initial stent implantation to ST, antiplatelet therapy at presentation, and the frequency and predictors of adverse events (death, myocardial infarction, and recurrent ST) during long-term follow-up (mean 65 ± 30 months) were evaluated. Eighty-six patients (80.9%) had early ST, 7 patients (6.6%) had late ST, and 13 patients (12.2%) had very late ST. Eighty-three patients (78.3%) were receiving dual-antiplatelet therapy at the time of ST. Eighty-three patients (78.3%) presented with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions, and 23 patients (21.6%) presented with other forms of acute coronary syndromes. Death rates during hospitalization, at 1 year, and at long-term follow-up were 17.9%, 23.8%, and 35.6%, respectively. The rates of recurrent definite ST during hospitalization, at 1 year, and at long-term follow-up were 7.5%, 9.9%, and 10.9%, respectively. Univariate predictors of the combined end point of death rate and definite recurrent ST were presentation with cardiogenic shock, left ventricular ejection fraction <30% at presentation, renal failure, discontinuation of clopidogrel administration at presentation, maximal creatine phosphokinase after ST, and Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade after intervention. Independent predictors of the primary end point at long-term follow-up remained cardiogenic shock (odds ratio [OR] 1.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08 to 1.63, p = 0.0069), renal failure (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.57, p = 0.0425), and TIMI flow grade after intervention (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.74 to 0.98, p = 0.0315). Current cigarette smoking was an independent predictor of repeat definite ST at long-term follow-up (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.27, p = 0.0321). In conclusion, ST was associated with detrimental outcomes in the acute phase as well as the long-term phase. Recurrent ST was not infrequent.