Outcomes of Obese and Morbidly Obese Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

The risks of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in obese and particularly morbidly obese patients remain uncertain.

1082 consecutive patients were categorised as non-obese (NO, body mass index (BMI) <30kg/m², n=688), obese (O, BMI 30-40kg/m², n=354) or morbidly obese (MO, BMI ≥40kg/m², n=40). Demographic and procedural information was collated. Monte Carlo simulations modelled radiation dosimetric data.

Obese and morbidly obese patients were younger (p=0.016), more frequently female (p=0.036), more frequently diabetic (p<0.0001), with better renal function (p<0.0001), and prior PCI (p=0.01). There was no difference in major adverse cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events (MACCE) (NO=1.2%, O=0.8%, MO=2.5%, p=NS), acute kidney injury, bleeding, length of stay, 30-day readmission or 30-day mortality. Obese and morbidly obese patients received increased contrast (NO=180 [150-230]mL, O=190 [160-250]mL, MO=200 [165-225]mL, p=0.016), dose area product (NO=75.56 [50.61-113.69]Gycm², O=116.4 [76.11-157.82]Gycm², MO=125.62 [92.22-158.81]Gycm², p<0.0001), entrance air kerma (NO=1439.42 [977.0-2075.5]mGy, O=2111.63 [1492.0-3011.0]mGy, MO=2376.0 [1700.0-3234.42]mGy, p<0.0001), and peak skin dose (NO=1439.42 [977.0-2075.5], O=2111.63 [1492.0-3011.0], MO=2376.0 [1700.0-3234.42], p<0.0001). Effective radiation dose increased in obese patients (NO=20.9±14.9mSv, O=27.4±17.1mSv, MO=24.1±12.6mSv, p<0.0001 for NO vs O, p=0.449 for NO vs MO).

Percutaneous coronary intervention can be performed in obese and morbidly obese patients without elevated risk for most clinical outcomes. However, radiation increases above levels that could cause both transient and late effects. Strategies should be pursued to minimise radiation dose.