Seung Hwa Lee

Long-Term Clinical Outcomes of Medical Therapy for Coronary Chronic Total Occlusions in Elderly Patients (≥75 Years)

BACKGROUND Limited data are available on the clinical outcomes of medical therapy (MT) compared with revascularization in elderly patients with coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO). METHODS AND RESULTS Between March 2003 and February 2012, we retrospectively analyzed 311 patients aged ≥75 years in the Samsung Medical Center CTO registry. Among these, 153 patients were treated with MT and 158 patients with revascularization by intervention or surgery. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) and propensity score-matching were performed. The primary outcome was cardiac death during follow-up. Median follow-up duration was 34 (interquartile range: 15-58) months. Overall, patients in the MT group were high-risk subjects. Cardiac death of 30 patients (19.6%) occurred in the MT group vs. 17 patients (10.8%) in revascularization group (P=0.027). In the multivariate analysis, there was no significant difference between groups in the rate of cardiac death (hazard ratio [HR], 1.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.86-3.24, P=0.13). After adjustment with IPTW, MT showed comparable risk of cardiac death with revascularization therapy (HR, 1.26; 95% CI, 0.71-2.21, P=0.43). In the propensity score-matched population, there was no significant difference in the rate of cardiac death between the MT and revascularization groups (HR, 1.52; 95% CI, 0.76-3.07, P=0.24). CONCLUSIONS In the treatment of CTO in elderly patients, MT alone did not increase the risk of long-term cardiac death when compared with aggressive revascularization treatment.

Glycemic Control Status After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention and Long-Term Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background— Data on the association between glycemic control after percutaneous coronary intervention and clinical outcomes are limited and controversial in diabetic patients. Methods and Results— We studied 980 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention using drug-eluting stents. Based on 2-year glycosylated hemoglobin A (HbA1c) levels, we divided patients into 2 groups of HbA1c<7.0 (n=489) and HbA1c≥7.0 (n=491). Propensity score–matched analysis was performed in 322 pairs. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), defined as a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, repeat revascularization, or stroke. Median follow-up duration was 5.4 years. The 7-year incidence of MACCE was lower in the HbA1c<7.0 group than in the HbA1c≥7.0 group (26.9% versus 40.3%; adjusted hazard ratio, 0.75; 95% confidence interval, 0.57–0.98; P=0.03). After propensity score matching, the 7-year incidence of MACCE was still lower in the HbA1c<7.0 group than in the HbA1c≥7.0 group (27.5% versus 37.4%; hazard ratio, 0.71; 95% confidence interval, 0.52–0.97; P=0.03), mainly because of a reduction in repeat revascularization (19.9% versus 29.5%; hazard ratio, 0.66; 95% confidence interval, 0.47–0.93; P=0.02). In subgroup analyses, the benefit of glycemic control for MACCE was more prominent in patients with residual SYNTAX score (Synergy Between PCI With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery) >4 than in those with the residual SYNTAX score ⩽4 (Pinteraction=0.004). Conclusions— HbA1c<7.0 measured 2 years after percutaneous coronary intervention was associated with a reduced rate of MACCE. Our data suggest that high HbA1c levels 2 years after percutaneous coronary intervention may identify a population at increased risk of adverse events, especially repeat revascularization.

Preoperative cardiac troponin level is associated with all-cause mortality of liver transplantation recipients

This study was aimed to evaluate the association between preoperative high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) level and mortality in patients undergoing liver transplantation (LT). From January 2011 to May 2016, preoperative hs-cTnI level was measured in consecutive 487 patients scheduled for LT. Patients with elevated preoperative hs-cTnI were compared with those who had normal level. The primary outcome was all-cause death in follow-up period of 30 days to 1 year after operation. Of the 487 patients, 58 (11.9%) had elevated preoperative hs-cTnI and 429 (88.1%) had normal preoperative hs-cTnI. In multivariate analysis, the rate of 1-year mortality and 30-day mortality were higher in elevated preoperative hs-cTnI group (hazard ratio [HR], 3.69; confidence interval [CI] 95%, 1.83–7.42; p < 0.001, HR, 6.61; CI, 1.91–22.82; p = 0.003, respectively). After adjustment with inverse probability weighting (IPW), the incidence of 1-year mortality and 30-day mortality were higher in elevated group (HR, 4.66; CI, 3.56–6.1; p < 0.001, HR, 10.31; CI, 6.39–16.66; p < 0.001, respectively). In conclusion, this study showed that in patients who underwent LT, elevation of preoperative hs-cTnI level was associated with 1-year mortality and 30-day mortality.

Elevated High-Sensitivity Troponin I During Living Donor Liver Transplantation is Associated With Postoperative Adverse Outcomes

Background This study aimed to evaluate risk factors and postoperative clinical outcome associated with myocardial injury detected by an elevated high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) immediately after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Methods Between January 2011 and December 2016, 313 adult recipients undergoing LDLT, with normal preoperative hs-cTnI were selected. Hs-cTnI level above 0.04 ng/mL according to 99th percentile reference limit was defined as myocardial injury. The recipients were divided into 2 groups according to postoperative hs-cTnI measured immediately after LDLT and postoperative clinical outcome was compared. Results The primary outcome was composite of death or graft failure during hospital stay. Risk factors associated with myocardial injury during LDLT was also evaluated. Of the 313 recipients with normal preoperative hs-cTnI level, 159 (50.8%) had elevated hs-cTnI level and 154 (49.2%) had normal level after LDLT. The incidence of all-cause death or graft failure during hospital stay was significantly higher in recipients with myocardial injury (1.9% vs 7.6%; hazard ratio, 4.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-17.14; P = 0.049). The same result was shown in propensity-matched population (0.9% vs 9.0%; hazard ratio, 9.08; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-71.01; P = 0.04). The results during 1-year follow-up were not consistent. Female sex, ischemia time, and presence of postreperfusion syndrome were independent predictors of myocardial injury during LDLT. Conclusions Myocardial injury detected by elevation of hs-cTnI level immediately after LDLT was independently associated with adverse outcome during hospital stay.

Association between perioperative β-blocker use and clinical outcome of non-cardiac surgery in coronary revascularized patients without severe ventricular dysfunction or heart failure

Perioperative use of β-blocker has been encouraged in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery despite weak evidence, especially in patients without left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) or heart failure (HF). This study evaluated the effects of perioperative β-blocker on clinical outcomes after non-cardiac surgery among coronary revascularized patients without LVSD or HF. Among a total of 503 patients with a history of coronary revascularization (either by percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary arterial bypass grafts) undergoing non-cardiac surgery, those without severe LVSD defined by ejection fraction over 30% or HF were evaluated. The primary outcome was a composite of death, myocardial infarction, repeat revascularization, and stroke during 1-year follow-up. Perioperative β-blocker was used in 271 (53.9%) patients. During 1-year follow-up, we found no significant difference in primary outcome between the two groups on multivariate analysis (hazard ratio [HR], 1.01; confidence interval [CI] 95%, 0.56–1.82; P = 0.963). The same result was shown in propensity-matched population (HR, 1.25; CI 95%, 0.65–2.38; P = 0.504). In coronary revascularized patients without severe LVSD or HF, perioperative β-blocker use may not be associated with postoperative clinical outcome of non-cardiac surgery. Larger registry data is needed to support this finding.

Clinical Outcome of Noncardiac Surgery in Patients With History of Coronary Artery Revascularization by Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Versus Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Objective: Although safety concerns still remain among patients undergoing unanticipated noncardiac surgery after prior percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), it has not been directly compared with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The objective of this study was to compare clinical outcomes after noncardiac surgery in patients with prior (>6 months) coronary revascularization by PCI or CABG. Methods: From February 2010 to December 2015, 413 patients with a history of coronary revascularization, scheduled for noncardiac surgery were identified. Patients were divided into PCI group and CABG group and postoperative clinical outcome was compared between 2 groups. The primary outcome was composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, and stroke in 1-year follow-up. Results: The 413 patients were divided according to prior coronary revascularization types: 236 (57.1%) into PCI and 177 (42.9%) into CABG group. In multivariate analysis within 1-year follow-up, there was no significant difference in clinical outcome which was composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, and stroke (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.50; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.76-2.93; P = .24). The same result was present in propensity-matched population analysis (HR: 1.43; 95% CI: 0.68-3.0; P = .34). Conclusions: In patients undergoing noncardiac surgery with prior coronary revascularization by PCI or CABG performed on an average of 42 months after PCI and 50 months after CABG, postoperative clinical outcome at 1-year follow-up is comparable.

Duration of dual antiplatelet therapy in patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention for coronary chronic total occlusion

Background The duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after drug-eluting stent implantation in coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) remains unclear. Methods We retrospectively analyzed a total of 512 patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the Samsung Medical Center CTO registry. Patients were separated into ≤ 12-month (199, 38.9%) vs. > 12 month (313, 61.1%) based on DAPT duration with aspirin and clopidogrel. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event (MACCE) during follow-up. Results Median follow-up duration was 67 (interquartile range: 51–84) months. MACCE occurred in 43 patients (21.6%) in the ≤ 12-month and 55 patients (17.6%) in the > 12-month groups. In the propensity-matched population, the rate of MACCE did not differ significantly between the ≤ 12-month and > 12-month group (19.4% vs. 18.8%; hazard ratio [HR], 0.95; 95% confidential interval [CI], 0.52–1.76, p = 0.88). Moreover, moderate or severe bleeding according to BARC criteria (type 2, 3 or 5) was also similar between the ≤ 12-month and > 12-month group (2.5% vs. 1.9%; HR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.20–4.96, p = 0.99). Conclusion Among patients treated with PCI for CTO, DAPT with durations of ≤ 12-month showed similar long-term clinical outcomes compared to > 12-month DAPT.

Response by Hwang et al to Letter Regarding Article, “Glycemic Control Status After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention and Long-Term Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus”

We thank Dr Garcia-Moll for his interest in our article.1 We have demonstrated that glycosylated hemoglobin A (HbA1c) <7.0 measured at 2 years after percutaneous coronary intervention was associated with a lower risk of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events mainly because of reduction in repeat revascularization. As Dr Garcia-Moll mentioned, more prevalent insulin treatment may explain a higher risk of repeat revascularization in the HbA1c ≥7.0 group compared with the HbA1c <7.0 group. Therefore, we included insulin treatment at 24 months in our Cox regression model. HbA1c <7.0 measured at 2 years was still …

Analysis of Protrusio Acetabuli Using a CT-based Diagnostic Method in Korean Patients with Marfan Syndrome: Prevalence and Association with Other Manifestations

A new CT-based diagnostic method of protrusio acetabuli (PA) was introduced. However, prevalence of PA by this method and correlation between PA and other manifestations of Marfan syndrome (MFS) is unknown in Korean MFS patients. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of PA diagnosed by a CT-based method in Korean patients with MFS, the association of PA with other manifestations of MFS, and the contribution of PA to MFS diagnosis. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 146 MFS patients with the presence of a causative FBN1 mutation and 146 age- and sex-matched controls from a single tertiary care center. All MFS patients underwent a complete assessment of criteria based on the revised Ghent nosology. PA was assessed quantitatively using a CT-based circle-wall distance (CWD) method. PA was diagnosed in 77.4% of patients in the MFS group and in 11.0% of the control group. CWD was significantly different between the two groups (1.50 mm vs. -0.64 mm, P<0.001). The presence of PA did not correlate with the presence of ectopia lentis, aortic root diameter, or history of aortic dissection. The presence of PA did not have a significant impact on the final diagnosis of MFS. Even though the presence of PA does not related to the cardinal clinical features of MFS or influence MFS diagnosis, its presence may be helpful for the suspicion of MFS when aortic dissection or aneurysm is found on CT angiography of the aorta because of the high frequency of PA in MFS patients. Graphical Abstract