Background:
Nonprotected left main coronary stenosis is still considered an indication for bypass surgery. We conducted a multicenter prospective randomized trial to compare total arterial revascularization (CABG) with interventional treatment (PCI) in these patients.
Methods and Demographics:
Between 8/2003 and 5/2007 a total of 156 pts with significant stenosis of the nonprotected left main coronary artery were recruited for the study. We report the first 111 pts whith one year follow up. They were randomized to undergo CABG or PCI using drug eluting stents (Sirolimus). Additional lesions in other locations were treated concurrently. Angiographic control was performed at 12 months. Primary endpoints were death, acute myocardial infarction and re-intervention at 12 months. Out of the 111 pts 55 pts were randomized for CABG and 56 for PCI. Mean age was 65 ± 7 years, diabetes was present in 35%. There were no significant differences between both groups with respect to other baseline variables. The lesion was located at the ostium in 17%, midshaft in 11%, and distally in 72%. An average of 2.4 ± 1.1 stents were implanted, and 2.4 ± 0.6 bypass grafts were performed. Of the operated patients 70% received complete arterial revascularization.
Results:
Early outcome revealed a procedural success of in all 55 pts for
CABG
and in 53 of 56 pts for
PCI
, three pts assigned to PCI had to be successfully converted to CABG. Early mortality in surgery was 1.8%, no patient died early after PCI. Periprocedural NSTEMI were noted in 2 pts after PCI and in six pts after CABG, of those one pt. underwent graft revision. After 12-month follow up control angiography was performed, in 2 pts (3,5%) after
CABG
and in 7 pts. after
PCI
(13,2%) reintervention was necessary. 5 pts required target vessel revascularization (TVR). 2 pts developed a de-novo lesion. One of the PCI cohort died at 10 months. MACE rate after 12 month was comparable for
CABG group
with 18,1% and 17,9% for the
PCI group
.
Conclusions:
In pts with nonprotected left main stenosis both CABG and PCI using drug eluting stents can be performed with few periprocedural complications, low mortality and at 12 months mace rate and survival compare favourably, reintervention rate is higher in PCI.
Total Arterial Revascularization — A Fascinating Approach Still Not Widely Accepted
