Background:
Despite guidelines recommendations for early invasive management in non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), some patients (pts) with significant coronary artery disease (CAD) found on early angiography do not undergo revascularization. The prevalence, clinical features, and long-term prognosis of this population have not been well-characterized.
Methods:
We evaluated 8225 NSTEMI pts from the SYNERGY trial (2002–2004) with >50% stenosis in at least 1 epicardial artery who received in-hospital percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), in-hospital coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), or no revascularization before discharge (medical management). A propensity-adjusted Cox proportional hazards model was used to compare death/MI rates at 6 months and mortality rates at 1 year among the 3 subgroups starting from the time of hospital discharge.
Results:
A total of 2633 of 8255 pts (32%) were medically managed, 4294 (52%) underwent PCI, and 1298 (16%) underwent CABG. Clinical features and unadjusted outcomes are shown below. Guidelines-recommended discharge medications were used in a large proportion of patients, but those undergoing PCI most commonly received evidence-based therapies. The adjusted risk of 6-month death or MI was 2.19 (95% CI: 1.79–2.67) for medical management compared with PCI, and 3.07 (95% CI: 2.18 – 4.34) for medical management compared with CABG. The adjusted risks of 1-year mortality for medical management were 1.52 (95% CI: 1.07–2.17) and 1.70 (95% CI: 0.96–3.03), respectively.
Conclusion:
A substantial proportion of NSTEMI pts with significant CAD are managed medically without in-hospital revascularization. These pts have higher-risk clinical characteristics and worse outcomes compared with those who undergo PCI or CABG, despite fairly good use of evidence-based medications. Therefore, innovative treatment strategies are needed to mitigate the increased risk of adverse outcomes in this population.
Baseline Characteristics, Discharge Medications, and Unadjusted Clinical Outcomes for the 3 Groups
Influence of Renal Insufficiency on the Prescription of Evidence-Based Medicines in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease and Its Prognostic Significance